On April 19, The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran quickly reversed its position on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, exposing the growing rift between the country's political leadership and its military hardliners. Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz was 'completely open.' However, this statement quickly provoked a strong backlash within Tehran. A recording obtained by the newspaper revealed that a person claiming to be a member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy stated via maritime radio that the Strait remained closed and that vessels needed permission to pass. 'We will open the Strait according to our leader's orders, not by believing some childish tweets,' said one crew member, indicating that other vessels were responding to this warning. Around the same time, the Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard, criticized the Foreign Minister for announcing this policy on social media. The agency stated, 'The Foreign Ministry should reconsider this mode of communication.' Senior hardliner lawmaker Morteza Mahmoudi called for the dismissal of Amir-Abdollahian, claiming that his statement led to a drop in oil prices and handed a gift to the United States.