Iran has announced the renewed closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic, warning that any vessel approaching the waterway will be targeted. This decision follows reports of multiple attacks on ships in the region on Saturday.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy issued a stark statement, declaring that "no vessel is to move from its anchorage in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman." It further cautioned that "approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered co-operation with the enemy, and the offending vessel will be targeted." The IRGC cited an ongoing U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports as the reason for the closure, which comes just a day after Iran's foreign minister indicated the strait had been temporarily reopened.
"We have very good conversations going on. It's working out very well," U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday regarding negotiations with Tehran, despite the escalating tensions.
Multiple maritime incidents were reported on Saturday. According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), two Iranian gunboats opened fire on a tanker within the strait. Separately, a container ship was struck by "an unknown projectile" off the coast of Oman, resulting in damage. Reuters sources also reported at least two merchant vessels were hit by gunfire as they attempted to transit the chokepoint.
In response to these incidents, India's foreign ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador to express "deep concern" over an attack involving two Indian-flagged ships.
The closure threatens to further disrupt global energy supplies, as approximately 20% of the world's seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes through this narrow passage connecting the Gulf to the Arabian Sea. The ongoing crisis, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, has already caused a dramatic reduction in shipping traffic and sent oil prices soaring above $100 per barrel at times.
Tracking data from MarineTraffic showed that while some vessels managed to pass through during Friday's brief opening, others were forced to reroute after being denied access by Iranian forces. The situation remains volatile as a two-week ceasefire is set to expire on April 22, with Iran's Supreme National Security Council accusing the U.S. blockade of violating the current truce.