Strait of Hormuz Closed Again, Iran Says, as Ships Attacked

Iran has once again restricted access to the Strait of Hormuz, declaring commercial ships will be subject to attacks. The move follows reports of vessels, including a tanker, being targeted by Tehran on Saturday. The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) attributed its decision to the ongoing US maritime embargo, a day after Iran’s foreign minister had announced the critical shipping route was briefly reopened.

The IRGC Navy issued a statement warning that “no vessel may transit the Persian Gulf or Sea of Oman without explicit permission.” It cited the recent targeting of ships as evidence of the US’s persistent pressure. “Approaching the strait is seen as supporting the enemy, and the offending vessel will face retaliation,” the statement emphasized.

“Iran cannot blackmail the US with threats over the waterway,” said US President Donald Trump on Friday. “The blockade will stay until a peace deal is reached.”

The two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, set to expire on 22 April, has seen 23 ships turned away since the US began enforcing the blockade on 13 April. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) called this a breach of the agreement, halting the strait’s reopening until the US stops its actions.

Reports from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) highlighted two incidents: an Iranian gunboat opened fire on a tanker within the strait, while a container ship was struck by an unknown projectile near Oman’s northeastern coast. Reuters added that at least two merchant vessels claimed to be hit by gunfire while crossing the passage.

India’s foreign ministry expressed concern after summoning the Iranian ambassador, citing the attack on two of its flagged ships. Tracking data from MarineTraffic showed some vessels navigated the strait during its brief opening, while others altered routes after being denied access by the IRGC.

The strait, a vital chokepoint linking the Gulf to the Arabian Sea, typically handles 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments. Recent tensions, sparked by the US and Israel’s attack on Iran on 28 February, have sharply reduced traffic. Oil prices surged above $100 during the crisis, as Iran previously warned of mining and attacking tankers to disrupt supply chains.