Strait of Hormuz Closed Again, Indian Supertanker Reported Fired Upon by IRGC

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TEHERAN – Iran has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday (18/4/2026) in response to the United States’ (US) decision to maintain its maritime blockade policy. Iran’s Joint Military Command stated that “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state… under strict management and control by the armed forces.”

Iran’s military warned that it will continue to block the Strait of Hormuz as long as the US blockades Iranian ports. The announcement came after US President Donald Trump previously affirmed that the US Navy’s maritime blockade “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches agreements with the US, including on its nuclear programme.

The announcement of the re-closure of the Strait of Hormuz came shortly after shipping data showed more than 30 commercial vessels heading towards the Strait of Hormuz, comprising 23 ships from the Persian Gulf and eight from the Gulf of Oman, according to MarineTraffic data analysed by RIA Novosti on Friday (17/4/2026). Of the 23 ships, mostly dry cargo vessels, approaching the maritime route from the Persian Gulf, and from the opposite side, from the Gulf of Oman, eight ships were en route, six of which were oil tankers, according to the data.