Iran Fires on Two Ships Attempting to Cross the Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s military is reported to have fired on two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. The identities of the two ships hit by gunfire remain unknown. According to Reuters via detikNews on Saturday (18/4/2026), commercial vessels trying to pass through Hormuz received radio calls from the Iranian navy, informing them that they were not permitted to proceed. Several commercial ships attempting to traverse the strait reportedly received notifications from sailors the previous day that the Strait of Hormuz would be allowed to open but with restrictions. Shipping and maritime security sources told Reuters that the two ships reported Iranian vessels opening fire. The shooting was said to have occurred between Qeshm Island and Larak Island. The ships turned back without completing the crossing, according to those sources. The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) stated that it had received reports of the incident 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman. The captain of a tanker said his vessel was approached by two warships from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that fired on the ship. The tanker and its crew were unharmed. Meanwhile, a container ship was also hit by gunfire, according to a maritime security source. Several ships reported that the Iranian navy had broadcast a VHF message stating that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed again. “Attention all ships, due to the US government’s failure to fulfil its commitments in negotiations, Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz fully closed again. No ships of any type or nationality are permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz,” read the radio message.