Strait of Hormuz ‘no longer open’, ships turn back; gunfire reported

Ships report gunfire and turn back in the Strait of Hormuz as tensions rise and uncertainty grows over maritime security in the key waterway, as Iran declares it is closed again.

Apr 18, 2026

Merchant vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz reported security incidents on Saturday, including gunfire, and renewed restrictions, as maritime tensions intensified in the strategic waterway, according to shipping and security sources.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it had received a report that a tanker was fired upon by two gunboats allegedly “linked to Iran’s Revolution Guards” around 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman. The vessel’s captain claimed the boats opened fire without issuing a radio warning, though the ship and its crew were reported safe.

Ships reverse course amid renewed closure signals

Around 20 ships preparing to transit through the northern Larak corridor reversed course toward Oman after receiving radio messages from Iran indicating the waterway was no longer open, and no ships are allowed to pass through, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing shipping sources. The vessels had reportedly been waiting under arrangements that included significant transit fees imposed by Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps.

Shipping brokers in Athens and Singapore said the ships had agreed to pay tolls of up to $2 million per vessel to secure passage before the latest developments forced them to withdraw. A Hong Kong-based shipowner with a container vessel in the area said communications from Iranian forces confirmed the closure, prompting ships to halt their attempts to cross.

Industry sources added that since the start of the war on February 28, only vessels under Iranian control have been able to pass through the central shipping lane of the Strait. Before the war, roughly 130 ships transited the route daily.

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The developments underscore the continued volatility in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor, as shipping companies weigh escalating risks and unclear navigation conditions.

‘We warned you’: Hormuz Strait back to previous state amid US blockade

The announcement of the return of the Strait to the previous “status quo” came through a statement released by Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.

The statement said Iran had earlier agreed, in good faith and within the framework of negotiations, to allow the managed passage of a limited number of oil tankers and commercial vessels through the strategic waterway.

However, the HQ’s spokesperson stated, the United States had failed to uphold its commitments, amid Washington’s continued acts of “piracy and maritime robbery” under the guise of a naval blockade.

The statement added that, in response, Iran has reinstated full control measures over the Strait, emphasizing that the passage of vessels will remain tightly regulated unless the US fully lifts restrictions on Iranian shipping routes, both inbound and outbound.

“As long as the United States does not completely lift the restrictions on the passage of vessels from Iran to destination and from destination to Iran, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will be strictly controlled and remain as before,” the spokesperson said.

The Iranian state TV later reported that only commercial vessels are allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz with permission from the naval forces of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps.

Iranian official outlines ‘new maritime regime’

Separately, Ebrahim Azizi, head of the National Security Commission of the Iranian parliament, outlined a new framework governing maritime transit in the Strait.

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“It is time to submit to the new maritime regime of the Strait of Hormuz; this regime is determined by the Islamic Republic of Iran, not by virtual posts,” Azizi wrote in a post on X.

“In this regime, only commercial ships, and only with permission from the Armed Forces General Staff, particularly the Navy, are allowed to pass through designated routes after paying the rightful dues of the Iranian nation.”

He added that any US interference with Iranian vessels could prompt further escalation in restrictions.

“If the Americans want to create the slightest interference for Iranian ships, this decision can easily be changed!” Azizi said.

In a follow-up post, he added, “We warned you, but you didn’t pay attention! Now enjoy the return of the Strait of Hormuz situation to its previous state.”

Trump on Iran ceasefire: ‘Maybe I won’t extend it’, waves bombing card

This escalation on the Strait also comes as a result of US President Donald Trump’s renewed threats against Iran and repeated violations of prior understandings by the United States.

Trump signaled that Washington may not extend the temporary ceasefire with Iran set to expire on Wednesday, warning that military operations could resume even as negotiations continue.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump sent mixed and shifting signals on a deal with Iran, hinting at “pretty good news” and claiming negotiations are “going very well,” while simultaneously threatening that if a deal is not signed, the US could start “dropping bombs again.”

“Maybe I won’t extend it. So, you have a blockade, and unfortunately, we’ll have to start dropping bombs again,” he added.

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Mixed signals

Despite the threat of renewed escalation, Trump indicated that diplomatic efforts are ongoing. “We’re negotiating over the weekend,” he said, without providing details on the scope or participants in the talks.

He also expressed confidence in the trajectory of the negotiations, stating, “The Iran thing is just going well,” and adding separately, “I think it’s going to happen,” in reference to a potential agreement.

Meanwhile, Trump insisted the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz has been “very successful”, and its “combination” of aggression has been “pretty lethal”.

He claimed “many of these things have been negotiated and agreed to,” yet refused to provide details, saying Americans would “hear about it.”

At the same time, he declared that the US would “take” Iran’s nuclear material, either jointly after a deal is signed or “in a much more unfriendly form” if talks collapse.

The ceasefire, reached following weeks of US-Israeli aggression on Iran, coincides with a supposed US naval blockade targeting Iranian ports.

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