Iran Recloses Strait of Hormuz, Cites US Blockade as Trigger
Tensions in the Gulf have escalated after Iran announced the reclosure of the Strait of Hormuz on April 18, 2026, just hours after it had briefly opened. Iran's military command confirmed the strait is back under tight control of the armed forces, citing the United States' blockade policy as the primary trigger. The Iranian government views Washington's actions as a violation of an informal agreement that previously allowed limited merchant vessel traffic.
Commercial ships attempting to cross the strait were forced to turn back after Iranian authorities imposed a full ban. Shipping and maritime security sources reported at least two vessels were fired upon by Iranian ships in the waters between Qeshm Island and Larak, although there were no casualties. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also received a report of an incident about 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman.
In a VHF radio broadcast, the Iranian Navy stated the closure was due to the failure of the US government to meet its negotiation commitments, prohibiting all vessels from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This closure has a major impact on global traffic, with hundreds of ships and around 20,000 seafarers stranded in the Gulf region, awaiting certainty to traverse this vital route that carries about 20 percent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas distribution.
https://www.gelora.co/2026/04/