Iran Re-closes Strait of Hormuz Following US Blockade
Geopolitical tensions in the Gulf escalated on Saturday, April 18, 2026, when Iran announced the re-closure of the Strait of Hormuz just hours after it had reopened. Iran's military command asserted that the strait was again under the strict control of its armed forces, citing the US blockade as the primary trigger. The Iranian government viewed Washington's move as a violation of an informal agreement on limited commercial shipping, stating that as long as the blockade remains, the route would stay under full military control.
Before the closure, commercial vessels attempted to cross the strait following a notice of limited opening, but the situation shifted drastically with a complete ban. Incidents were reported in waters between Qeshm and Larak Islands, where at least two ships were fired upon by Iranian vessels, forcing them to turn back. The captain of a tanker confirmed that his ship was approached and shot at by two armed boats of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, though the crew and vessel were reported safe. A container ship was also struck by gunfire in a separate incident.
In a VHF radio broadcast, the Iranian Navy stated that the US government's failure to meet negotiated commitments led to the full closure, with no vessels permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. This closure has significantly impacted global traffic, with hundreds of ships and around 20,000 sailors stranded in the Gulf, awaiting clarity to navigate the route vital for roughly 20 percent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas distribution.
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