Tehran, 18 April 2026 — Iran has formally closed the Strait of Hormuz effective Saturday evening, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy Command announced, declaring the closure will remain in force until Washington unconditionally lifts its naval blockade of Iranian ports. The announcement, broadcast by Iran’s state-run IRIB network, marks one of the most consequential escalations in the Persian Gulf in recent memory, with immediate ramifications for global energy markets.
“As a result of the violation of the ceasefire regime, the Strait of Hormuz will be closed from the evening of today [Saturday], until the US lifts the naval blockade,” the IRGC Navy stated. The command further issued an unambiguous warning that any vessel attempting to approach the waterway would be subject to military strikes, with such an approach deemed tantamount to “cooperation with the enemy” — a direct reference to the United States.
The crisis traces its immediate origins to 13 April 2026, when the United States Navy initiated a comprehensive blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway is of extraordinary global significance, facilitating the transit of approximately 20 per cent of the world’s oil, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas supplies. Washington has maintained that non-Iranian vessels remain free to navigate the Strait, provided they refrain from paying any toll to Tehran. Iranian authorities, for their part, have not formally announced the imposition of such a toll, though discussions to that effect have been reported.
The IRGC’s invocation of a “ceasefire regime violation” suggests that a prior diplomatic or military understanding was in place between the two parties, the precise terms of which remain publicly undisclosed. Iran’s Vice President has separately stated that control of the Strait of Hormuz “will be secured one way or another,” underscoring the depth of Tehran’s resolve in the standoff.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, even temporarily, carries profound consequences for global shipping lanes, oil tanker operations, and energy-importing nations across Asia, Europe, and the broader Global South. Analysts warn that a sustained blockade and counter-closure scenario risks triggering severe supply disruptions and price shocks across international commodity markets. The situation continues to evolve rapidly, with no indication as yet that either Washington or Tehran is prepared to stand down.
Find more details at Sputnik International.