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Iran Recloses Strait of Hormuz, Fires on Tankers Amid U.S. Naval Blockade

Iran Recloses Strait of Hormuz, Fires on Tankers Amid U.S. Naval Blockade
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Iran reclosed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, April 18, declaring the vital waterway under “strict control” until the United States lifts its naval blockade of Iranian ports, as at least two merchant ships reported coming under fire while attempting to transit the channel.apnews +1 The move froze the first significant tanker movements through Hormuz since the war began and reignited fears over a global oil shock.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the strait had “returned to its previous state” under military authority less than a day after officials in Tehran and Washington had signaled that commercial traffic would resume during a fragile ceasefire due to expire on April 22.apnews +1 British maritime authorities and ship‑tracking firms reported that IRGC gunboats fired on at least one tanker near the mouth of the strait, while India confirmed two Indian‑flagged crude carriers were attacked and forced to turn back, prompting New Delhi to summon Iran’s ambassador in protest.theguardian +2

A Strategic Chokepoint Turns Deadly Again

Hormuz normally carries about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade, linking Gulf producers to world markets.cnbc +1 Since U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February and the subsequent U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, traffic has already been sharply reduced, with shipowners and insurers warning of mines, drones and “mosquito fleets” of IRGC fast boats shadowing tankers.cnbc +1

During a brief opening on April 17, roughly eight tankers attempted a convoy-style transit after Iran’s foreign minister said the strait was “completely open,” and oil futures dropped by around 9–12% on expectations of easing supply constraints.bbc +1 But satellite and AIS data showed many vessels executing abrupt U‑turns as conflicting Iranian and U.S. statements sowed confusion; the IRGC then declared that any ship approaching Hormuz would be treated as aiding the enemy and “will be targeted.”apnews +2

Diplomatic Fallout and Jittery Energy Markets

Iran framed the reclosure as a response to what it called U.S. “piracy” and ceasefire violations, insisting it would keep Hormuz shut until the blockade is lifted.apnews +1 President Donald Trump countered that Tehran “can’t blackmail us” and vowed to keep the blockade “in full force,” while hinting the ceasefire might not be extended when it lapses on Wednesday.apnews +1 The standoff left dozens of tankers effectively bottled up in the Gulf, with Western capitals weighing new sanctions and naval measures to secure shipping lanes.aljazeera

India, one of the first countries directly hit by the renewed escalation at sea, lodged a formal protest and demanded safe passage for its energy supplies after two India‑flagged vessels came under fire near Oman; no casualties were reported, but both ships reversed course.theguardian +1 Analysts warned that although futures briefly eased on reopening headlines, physical crude prices and regional fuel costs remained elevated, reflecting a market braced for prolonged disruption and potential damage to energy infrastructure across the Gulf.bbc +1

The Bigger Picture

The rapid flip from “open” to “closed” Hormuz underscored how closely the course of the Iran war is now entwined with global energy security: a single announcement in Tehran or Washington is enough to send tankers turning in mid‑voyage and billions of dollars in oil contracts repricing within hours.cnbc +1 With talks faltering, a U.S. blockade still in place and Iran vowing “new bitter defeats” for its enemies at sea, governments and traders are preparing for the possibility that the world’s most important oil chokepoint could remain weaponized well beyond this week’s ceasefire deadline.apnews +1