Hormuz Crisis Explodes: Iran Shuts Strait, US Blockade Standoff Escalates

TEHRAN — Verified: The Hormuz crisis explodes again as Iran abruptly closed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, April 18, 2026, escalating its standoff with the United States and threatening global oil shipments.

The move comes just one day after Tehran declared the waterway “completely open” on Friday. Iranian officials say the strait will stay shut until Washington ends its naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Iran: Strait Stays Closed Until US Lifts Port Blockade

Iran’s central military command announced Saturday it would resume “strict management” of the Strait of Hormuz. State TV said the decision reversed Friday’s opening because “Washington had reneged on its promise by maintaining a naval blockade against vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports”.

The military statement stipulated that the “status of the Strait of Hormuz will remain under strict control” until the US “restores freedom of navigation for all vessels bound for Iran”.

Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, called the US blockade “a clumsy and ignorant decision” and warned shipping would stay  “heavily restricted” if Washington refuses to ease its grip.

Talks Stalled As Hormuz Crisis Explodes Before Ceasefire Deadline

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said no date has been set for new US talks and slammed Washington’s  “maximalist”  demands.

Ghalibaf admitted there has been “some progress” with the US but stressed  “key disagreements remain unresolved” and both sides are  “still far from sealing any final agreement”.

A fragile two-week ceasefire expires Wednesday, April 22, unless extended. Iran briefly reopened the strait Friday during a truce involving Israel and Hezbollah, calming markets and sending oil prices down over 10%.

Trump responded that the  “naval blockade will remain in effect”  until a final deal is done, though  “this process should go very quickly”.

Ships Fired On As Hormuz Crisis Explodes Into Real Danger

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards warned that any vessel passing without clearance would be  “treated as siding with the enemy  and could be attacked”. Reports confirm the threat is real.

Two Iranian gunboats reportedly fired on at least one British tanker attempting to transit Saturday. Security reports cite a tanker under fire, an empty cruise ship threatened, and another vessel struck by an unidentified projectile.

India summoned Iran’s ambassador after two of its flagged ships were caught in a shooting incident. While a few tankers crossed during Friday’s brief opening, most vessels have pulled back, leaving the lane nearly deserted.

Global Fallout: Oil, Food, Fertiliser At Risk

The Strait carries 20% of globally traded oil and significant LNG volumes. Brent crude surged 10–13% to $80–82 per barrel after the March closure. Analysts warn prices could hit $100 if disruptions persist.

The International Energy Agency called it the “largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market”. Europe faces an energy crunch after Qatari LNG halted.

Food security is also hit. About a third of the world’s fertilisers transit Hormuz to Asia and Africa. In Sudan, aid is delayed three weeks as ships reroute via the Cape of Good Hope. Pakistan’s June-July planting season is at risk due to fertiliser delays.

US Position: ‘No Blackmail’ As Hormuz Crisis Explodes

President Donald Trump called talks “productive” but warned Iran against “blackmail”. He said the US would keep a firm stance until a  “comprehensive deal” is reached.

Trump noted the US and Iran are working to remove sea mines Iran placed during the war. He wrote on Truth Social:  “Iran, with the help of the U.S.A., has removed, or is removing, all sea mines! Thank you! President DJT”.

Still, the US blockade remains. Trump said Friday:  “THE NAVAL BLOCKADE WILL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS IT PERTAINS TO IRAN, ONLY”.

What’s Next As Hormuz Crisis Explodes

Mediation by Egypt and Pakistan continues. But Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile is a major sticking point. Trump claimed Iran agreed to hand over 440kg. Tehran denied it, saying the stockpile  “will neither be moved nor surrendered”.

The war began February 28 after US-Israeli strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Since then, violence spread. A French UN peacekeeper was killed in Lebanon. Israel reported fresh troop casualties.

With the ceasefire expiring Wednesday and the Hormuz crisis explodes again, global energy hangs in the balance. As of April 18, the strait is closed.