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The Strait of Hormuz has been closed again amid the ongoing standoff between Iran and the United States. Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf indicated that a conclusive peace agreement is still far away, despite some progress in talks.Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any attempt to pass through the strait without permission will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and the offending vessel will be targeted. The current two-week ceasefire is set to expire on Wednesday unless it is extended.US President Donald Trump has no justification to deprive Iran of its nuclear rights, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said. Iran's valiant navy is ready to inflict new bitter defeats on its enemies, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said.The US military forced 23 ships to turn around near the Strait of Hormuz since imposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Trump accused Iran of getting a little cute with its recent moves and warned Tehran not to try to blackmail Washington.In Israel, another soldier was killed in combat in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military established a so-called yellow line in southern Lebanon, similar to a measure in the besieged Gaza Strip.United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack that killed a French soldier serving with the UN mission UNIFIL in Lebanon.

US President Donald Trump's recent announcements about securing major concessions from Tehran have sparked rejections and clarifications from Iranian authorities. Trump claimed that Iran had agreed to stop enriching uranium on its soil and would jointly dig up enriched uranium buried under the rubble of bombed Iranian nuclear sites with the US.The Iranian government quickly responded to Trump's claims, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf rejecting all of them. The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also released a statement saying the Strait of Hormuz is once again heavily restricted and under 'strict management' of the armed forces.The dissonance was clearly on display on state television and other state-linked media, with multiple hosts and analysts harshly attacking Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for tweeting that the Strait of Hormuz was 'declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire'. The Iranian economy continues to suffer, with oil prices dropping and the Iranian currency experiencing volatility.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy declared the Strait of Hormuz closed on Saturday, April 18, 2026, warning that any vessel attempting passage would be targeted. The announcement came less than 24 hours after the waterway had been briefly reopened, reigniting concerns over maritime security in the Persian Gulf and the broader U.S.-Iran standoff.The IRGC statement, relayed by Iran's Student News Agency, stipulated that the closure would remain in effect until the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports—a move Tehran labels a breach of the cease‑fire agreement linked to the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.Speaker of Iran's Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf emphasized on television that “the Strait of Hormuz is under the control of the Islamic Republic,” condemning the U.S. blockade as “clumsy and ignorant.” Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned the navy was prepared to deliver “new bitter defeats” to its adversaries.Just hours earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had announced the strait “completely open for all commercial vessels,” prompting a brief surge of more than a dozen merchant ships and a dip in global oil prices. The sudden reversal underscores the volatility of the region’s energy markets, where even short‑lived openings can sway price benchmarks.According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), Iranian gunboats fired on two commercial vessels, and India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that two Indian‑flagged ships were involved in a “shooting incident.” Some merchant crews reported receiving radio warnings from the IRGC Navy that no ships would be permitted through the strait.U.S. President Donald Trump responded by stating Tehran could not “blackmail Washington” and warned that the naval blockade would “remain in full force” unless a cease‑fire deal is secured before its Wednesday deadline. Trump also hinted at ending the cease‑fire if Iran persists with the closure.Al Jazeera analysts described the situation as “two competing blockades,” noting that the brief reopening had raised hopes for a confidence‑building measure, only to revert to a stalemate. Correspondent Zein Basravi observed that the strait has become “the only space for engagement,” even if that engagement is hostile, serving as a platform for Iran to signal leverage to the United States.

Iran has reclosed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil supplies, in retaliation to the United States' ongoing blockade of Iranian ports. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday that control of the strait had 'returned to its previous state,' with Iranian gunboats reportedly firing at a merchant vessel attempting to cross.The strait's closure comes after a brief reopening, during which over a dozen commercial ships passed through. This development has cast doubt on US President Donald Trump's optimism about a potential peace deal to end the US-Israel war on Iran, which Trump claimed was 'very close.'The IRGC statement emphasized that the blockade represented 'acts of piracy and maritime theft,' and warned that the strait would remain under strict control until the US restores full freedom of navigation for Iranian vessels. Oil prices have been impacted, with at least eight oil and gas tankers crossing the strait by 10:30 GMT, while several others turned back.The situation has created uncertainty for maritime shipping, with specialist John-Paul Rodrigue noting that contradictory information from all parties has deterred many vessels from crossing. Al Jazeera's Tohid Asadi reported from Tehran that Iran seeks a comprehensive end to the regional war, including security assurances, sanctions relief, and a resolution to its nuclear dossier.

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is now fully open to commercial vessels. This development has sparked hopes for an end to the conflict in the Middle East and led to a significant decrease in oil prices.US President Donald Trump celebrated the reopening, claiming that Iran had agreed never to close the strategic waterway again. However, this claim has not been verified, and Iran's parliamentary speaker warned that the strait could be shut again if the US blockade continues.The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reinforced its authority in Tehran during the war, and commercial vessels are only allowed to travel through the strait along a determined route and with the permission of the IRGC navy. The US blockade of Iranian ports and shipping remains in place, making it uncertain when normality will return.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that, in line with the 10‑day Israel‑Lebanon ceasefire, the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" for all commercial vessels for the remainder of the truce. The declaration follows a fragile agreement between Israel and Lebanon, whose acceptance by Hezbollah remains uncertain. The Iranian Ports and Maritime Organisation has already outlined a coordinated routing system for vessels, ensuring that traffic proceeds under strict supervision by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, which will permit only non‑military ships. U.S. President Donald Trump echoed the openness of the strait in a social‑media post, emphasizing that it is "ready for business and full passage." However, he added that the U.S. naval blockade will continue "until Iran reaches a deal with the United States to end the war," signalling that commercial freedom does not equate to a lift of sanctions. Trump also claimed that Iran has pledged to "never close the Strait of Hormuz again," describing the waterway’s previous use as a "weapon against the world." A senior Iranian military official clarified that this promise applies solely to non‑military vessels, with IRGC Navy oversight. The conflict, which began on 28 February, has already claimed over 3,000 lives and saw Iran previously block the strait—a chokepoint through which roughly 20% of global oil and LNG shipments flow. After stalled U.S.–Iran talks in Pakistan, the United States expanded its blockade to Iranian ports in the Gulf. In Washington, Trump reiterated his administration’s pressure on Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. He suggested a potential "cash‑for‑uranium" deal worth $20 billion, later describing the prospect of acquiring Iran’s "nuclear dust" without payment—a claim dismissed by Iran’s state media, which said no such negotiations ever occurred. Trump also announced that Israel is now "prohibited" from bombing Lebanon, stating that any U.S.–Iran agreement is not contingent on developments in Lebanon. UN peacekeepers reported no air attacks since midnight, though they accused Israeli forces of violating Lebanese airspace and conducting artillery fire. According to the U.S. Department of State, Israel may act in self‑defence against imminent threats but is barred from offensive operations in southern Lebanon. Senior analyst Mairav Zonszein of the International Crisis Group described the direct talks between Lebanon and Israel as a "potential breakthrough," while cautioning that a durable settlement remains distant. He noted that a diplomatic track strengthening the Lebanese government could gradually diminish Hezbollah’s political influence. Overall, the simultaneous declaration of an open strait and the continuation of a U.S. blockade underscores the complex interplay of commercial interests, regional security, and the broader quest for a diplomatic resolution to the Middle‑East conflict.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the Strait of Hormuz is now fully open to commercial vessels, a statement that raised hopes for de‑escalation in the Middle‑East conflict and sent global oil prices tumbling. President Donald Trump took to social media to celebrate the news, proclaiming it a "great and brilliant day for the world" and asserting that Iran had pledged never to shut the strategic waterway again. Trump also claimed that Tehran had agreed to suspend its nuclear programme indefinitely and would forfeit any frozen U.S. funds, suggesting that a deal‑making session could occur over the upcoming weekend. In contrast, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) offered only qualified support for Araghchi’s declaration, indicating that commercial traffic would be permitted only along a prescribed route and under IRGC naval permission. The United States, however, signalled that its naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in force until all transactions are completed, warning that few vessels are likely to risk passage under the current uncertainty. Oil markets reacted swiftly: Brent crude slipped below $90 per barrel, easing inflationary pressures that had surged after the strait’s earlier closure. Simultaneously, a ten‑day truce in Lebanon entered its second day, temporarily halting Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah‑aligned forces and offering a brief respite to civilians after weeks of intense fighting. Despite the truce, an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon killed a civilian, and Defence Minister Israel Katz reiterated that the Israeli Defence Forces were not withdrawing and could resume operations. In Paris, representatives from roughly 40 nations gathered at a conference co‑chaired by France and the United Kingdom to discuss a coordinated plan for safeguarding the strait, which historically carries about one‑fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Araghchi’s statement but urged a "full, unconditional reopening" by all parties, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for any reopening plan to be "lasting and workable". The International Maritime Organization’s secretary‑general, Arsenio Domínguez, said the agency is reviewing the announcement to ensure it complies with the principle of free navigation for all merchant vessels. Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, acting as a key mediator, arrived in Tehran to advance negotiations for a more durable peace, underscoring Pakistan’s growing diplomatic role in the region. Overall, while the Hormuz opening has eased immediate market pressures, the broader geopolitical landscape remains volatile, with the U.S.–Iran cease‑fire set to expire soon and regional actors still poised for further confrontation.

On Tuesday, shipping data from LSEG and Kpler confirmed that at least three tankers entered the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, including the Panama‑flagged Peace Gulf, which is bound for Hamriyah port in the United Arab Emirates. Earlier that day, two U.S.–sanctioned vessels, the Rich Starry and the Elpis, also transited the waterway. Because none of these ships were destined for Iranian ports, they remain exempt from the U.S. blockade that began on Monday. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that, as of 10 a.m. ET (14:00 GMT) on Monday, a naval blockade was in effect against all maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports, in line with the presidential order issued by former President Trump. The directive applies to "vessels of all nations" operating in Iranian coastal waters, including the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Tehran has warned of possible retaliation against ports in neighboring Gulf states. In response to the blockade, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ordered every ship to follow a newly‑drawn navigation map that forces vessels to enter the strait north of Larak Island and exit south of it, citing the risk of anti‑ship mines in the former main traffic zone. Before the conflict, the strait functioned like a divided highway with two dedicated lanes—each about 3.2 km long—carrying roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments. The IRGC now classifies the original lanes as "restricted" and has effectively closed them. Ship traffic has collapsed by **more than 95 %** since the war began. Kpler’s tracking data shows that only **279 vessels** passed through the strait between Feb. 28 and Apr. 12, a stark contrast to the pre‑war average of around **100 ships per day**. Even after a cease‑fire took effect on Apr. 8, a mere **45 ships** have entered or exited the waterway. The disruption has left hundreds of tankers and other vessels stranded in the Gulf, slashing global oil and gas supplies by an estimated **20 %**—the largest fuel‑supply shock on record. Damage to Gulf energy infrastructure and the sharp reduction in shipments have pushed crude prices up by roughly **50 %**, with Asian importers bearing the brunt of the price spike. According to the same Kpler data, **22 ships** have been attacked in the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict started. The incidents are distributed as follows: eight in United Arab Emirates waters, six in Omani waters, two each in Iraqi and Qatari waters, and one each in Bahraini, Kuwaiti, Saudi and Iranian waters. These figures underscore the strategic vulnerability of the world’s most critical energy chokepoint and highlight how the combined effect of the U.S. naval blockade and Iran’s alternate routing has reshaped global shipping patterns and commodity markets.

The United States military has begun a mine clearance operation in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil and gas supplies, in response to Iran's alleged laying of sea mines. The operation, led by guided missile destroyers USS Frank E Peterson and USS Michael Murphy, aims to establish a 'safe pathway' for the free flow of global commerce.Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) recently released a map of the Strait of Hormuz showing a safe route for ships to follow through the strait, directing vessels farther north towards the Iranian coast and away from the traditional route closer to the coast of Oman. The IRGC stated that all vessels must use the new map for navigation due to 'the likelihood of the presence of various types of anti-ship mines in the main traffic zone.'The stakes are high, with one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies having been shipped through the Strait of Hormuz before the war. Even a single mine can compel operators to assume a wider threat, effectively invalidating insurance and shutting down their use of the waterway.Iran's stockpile is estimated to number 2,000 to 6,000 mines, a significant portion of which are produced domestically. These mines generally fall into three categories: contact mines, bottom (influence) mines, and 'smart' and rocket mines.The US Navy is facing a 'mine gap,' with experts calling for institutional neglect that led to the retirement of dedicated mine countermeasures (MCM) assets. The current US strategy relies on small combat ships built for coastal operations and fitted with MCM mission modules, but only one of these vessels, the USS Canberra, is currently available in the region.