Iran Closes the Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions

Sun Apr 19 2026 02:31:30 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Iran announces the closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz for commercial vessels as tensions escalate following ship attacks attributed to Iranian forces.

In a significant escalation of tensions, Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to commercial shipping, warning that any vessel approaching will be targeted. This announcement follows reports of attacks on ships in the region, amidst ongoing disputes with the United States, which has intensified a blockade affecting Iranian ports.

Iran says it is closing the Strait of Hormuz again to commercial vessels and that any ship that approaches it will be targeted.

The closure came as reports emerged of vessels in or near the strait, including a tanker, that were targeted by Tehran on Saturday.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) blamed a continuing U.S. blockade for its decision, which comes a day after Iran's foreign minister announced the key global shipping channel had been temporarily reopened.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran cannot blackmail the U.S. with threats regarding the waterway, which Tehran has effectively blocked for nearly two months—causing global energy prices to soar.

The IRGC Navy warned in a statement on Saturday that no vessel is to move from its anchorage in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman.

It said a number of vessels had passed through the strait under its management since Friday night, but that it would shut again until the U.S. stopped its blockade of Iranian ports.

Approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and the offending vessel will be targeted, the IRGC added.

Trump said on Friday that a naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a peace deal was agreed between the two countries. A two-week ceasefire currently in effect is due to expire on April 22.

The U.S. said it had turned away 23 ships since enforcing the blockade on April 13.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) stated that this was a violation of the ceasefire agreement and that it would stop the reopening of the strait while the blockade was in place.

The SNSC confirmed that new proposals had been put forward by the U.S., which Tehran was currently reviewing and has not yet responded to. Peace talks held earlier this month ended without an agreement.

In related developments, reports on Saturday indicated that two Iranian gunboats opened fire on a tanker in the strait, while another container ship was struck by an unknown projectile off the north-eastern coast of Oman.

India's foreign ministry expressed deep concern regarding the incidents involving two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

About 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) is usually transported through the strait, but the number of ships making the journey has dramatically decreased during the ongoing conflict.

The situation remains tense, as Iran continues to assert its influence over this critical maritime route.