19th April 2026
The Strait of Hormuz is closed again as of Saturday, 18 April 2026, following a brief attempt to reopen it. Iran's military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced they have resumed "strict management and control" over the strategic waterway.
Latest Developments (18 April 2026)
Status of the Strait: While Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared the strait "completely open" on Friday, the Iranian military reversed this just hours later, stating it has returned to its "previous state" of closure.
Reason for Re-closure: Tehran cited the continued United States naval blockade of Iranian ports as a breach of trust and a failure of the U.S. to meet its ceasefire obligations.
Current Restrictions: Any vessel attempting passage now requires explicit Iranian approval. Reports indicate that around 20 ships have already turned back toward Oman after the IRGC issued radio warnings.
Negotiation Status: A new round of peace talks is scheduled to begin this Monday in Pakistan. However, President Donald Trump has warned that the U.S. blockade will remain "in full force" until a final "transaction" is completed.
Security Incident: The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre reported that a tanker in the area came under fire from two Iranian gunboats shortly after the closure announcement.
Background on the 24-Hour Cycle
The situation has been extremely volatile over the last 24 hours:
Friday Reopening: Following a ceasefire in Lebanon, Iran designated specific safe lanes (north and south of Larak Island) for commercial traffic.
Trump's Stance: The U.S. President initially thanked Iran for the reopening but quickly reiterated that the American blockade of Iranian oil would not end until a permanent peace deal was signed.
Market Impact: Oil prices, which had begun to drop on news of the reopening, are under renewed pressure as the closure threatens 20% of the world's daily oil and gas supply.