Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, April 18, 2026 [1].
The move threatens one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, risking a global energy crisis and escalating direct military confrontation between the U.S. and Iran.
Tehran said the closure is a direct response to a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports [1, 4]. A spokesperson for the Revolutionary Guard said, "We are closing the strait until the U.S. blockade is lifted" [1].
Reports indicate that two ships were hit while attempting to cross the strait [1]. The waterway, located between Iran and Oman, is essential for the transport of oil, and commercial goods [3].
U.S. military officials confirmed that the restrictions on Iranian shipping are in place. Adm. Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM commander, said, "The blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented" [4].
This development follows a period of heightened tension in the region. An Iranian official said on March 23 that the country's position on the Strait of Hormuz had not changed and would not change [2].
The IRGC closure marks a significant escalation in the current conflict. By targeting the strait, Iran leverages its geographic position to pressure the U.S. to end its naval operations near Iranian shores [1, 2].
“"We are closing the strait until the U.S. blockade is lifted."”
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz represents a strategic pivot from localized port disputes to a broader disruption of international trade. Because a significant portion of the world's petroleum passes through this narrow corridor, the IRGC's action serves as economic leverage intended to force a U.S. retreat from the naval blockade of Iranian ports.
