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Iran's military has reimposed a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, just hours after briefly reopening the vital waterway, amid a continuing standoff over the US naval blockade of Iranian ports. The announcement on Saturday came as maritime tracking data showed several tankers attempting to transit the strait, with at least two vessels reporting attacks by Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) gunboats.

The decision, announced by Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya joint military command, restores the strait to its "previous status" and places it "under strict management and control by the armed forces," according to Iranian state media. The move reverses a reopening declared on Friday following a ceasefire in Lebanon, and follows US President Donald Trump's insistence that the naval blockade would "remain in full force" until a permanent peace deal is reached.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the events of 18 April 2026 is broadly consistent across outlets, though details and emphasis vary. ABC Australia and Al Jazeera both highlighted the direct link between the US blockade and Tehran's closure decision, with Al Jazeera quoting parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf's warning that the strait "will not remain open" while the blockade continues. BBC News focused on the IRGC's warning that any vessel approaching the strait "will be targeted," and featured President Trump's response that Iran cannot "blackmail" the US.

Dawn and The Guardian both reported on the "toing and froing" over the strait, with Dawn noting that at least eight oil and gas tankers crossed during the brief reopening. Deutsche Welle contextualised the event within broader US economic measures, including a renewed sanctions waiver for Russian oil purchases. BBC's chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet described the situation as a "test of wills" between Washington and Tehran.

Disagreements among sources are minimal, but some nuance exists around the number and status of vessels affected. ABC Australia reported two Indian-flagged vessels being fired upon, while The Guardian cited a UK maritime agency report of a tanker attacked northeast of Oman. Dawn additionally reported that a separate container ship was hit by an unknown projectile.

Key Claims

  • Iran's military declared the Strait of Hormuz closed again on Saturday, hours after reopening it, according to Iranian state media and multiple news agencies.
  • At least eight oil and gas tankers crossed the strait during the brief reopening early on Saturday, per maritime tracking data from Kpler and MarineTraffic cited by Dawn.
  • Two ships were reportedly attacked by Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps as they attempted to cross the strait. ABC Australia identified both as Indian-flagged vessels, while The Guardian and Dawn cited UKMTO reports of a tanker and a container ship being fired upon or hit by projectiles.
  • US President Donald Trump said a naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a peace deal is agreed, as reported by BBC, Dawn, and The Guardian.
  • Iran says it will keep the strait closed unless the US lifts its blockade, according to statements from the IRGC and Iranian officials quoted by Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle.
  • The US renewed a waiver allowing countries to purchase sanctioned Russian oil for approximately one month, according to Deutsche Welle, in a move some US lawmakers criticised.
  • Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf described a conclusive peace agreement as still "far" away, as carried by Al Jazeera.

Perspectives

Iranian government viewpoint: Tehran frames the closure as a justified response to the US naval blockade, which it calls "piracy" and a violation of the ceasefire. Officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh, insist that restrictions will remain until Washington guarantees free navigation for vessels to and from Iran.

US administration viewpoint: President Trump rejects Iran's threats, asserting that the US cannot be "blackmailed" and that the blockade will continue until a permanent peace deal is signed. He has also expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations, despite the strait's closure.

International shipping and maritime perspective: The immediate impact on commercial traffic is significant, with tankers either rushing through during the brief reopening or turning back. The attacks on vessels raise safety concerns for shipping companies and crews navigating the strait.

Regional and global economic perspective: The closure threatens global energy prices, as the strait handles one-fifth of the world's oil and much of its LNG. Deutsche Welle's report on the US Russian oil waiver suggests Washington is seeking to manage energy markets amid the crisis.

Corrections and Context

This article consolidates reporting from outlets as of 18 April 2026. The White House and the Iranian foreign ministry have not issued official statements beyond those quoted. The claimed attacks on vessels are under investigation by UKMTO and Indian authorities. Negotiations between Washington and Tehran are reportedly ongoing, with a two-week ceasefire due to expire on 22 April.