Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy closed the Strait of Hormuz and fired on ships on April 18, 2026 [1].
This escalation threatens one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints, potentially disrupting global oil supplies and intensifying military tensions between Tehran and Washington.
The IRGC Navy said that the closure is a direct response to a U.S. blockade of Iranian oil shipments [2]. The strategic waterway, located between Iran and Oman, is now under what the Iranian regime described as "full IRGC control" [3].
An IRGC Navy spokesperson said, "Ships approaching the vital waterway will be targeted" [4].
Reports on the scale of the attacks vary. The Financial Express reported that 14 India-bound ships were intercepted and attacked [5]. However, NBC News reported that two Indian ships came under fire [6].
The U.S. administration has responded to the closure and the threats against international shipping. Donald Trump said, "The United States will not be blackmailed" [4].
Earlier reports indicated a fluctuation in the status of the waterway. While some sources state the Strait was closed until the U.S. blockade is lifted, other reports suggest Iran reversed a previous decision to reopen the passage [7].
“"Ships approaching the vital waterway will be targeted"”
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz represents a significant escalation in the conflict between Iran and the U.S. By targeting commercial vessels, including those bound for India, Iran is leveraging its geographic control over a primary oil transit route to pressure the U.S. into lifting oil sanctions. This move risks a broader maritime conflict and could trigger a spike in global energy prices due to the vulnerability of the global oil supply chain.
