Iran Re-Closes Strait of Hormuz After Brief Reopening, Gunboats Fire on Tanker

Apr 18, 2026

Iran reversed its decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after approximately 20 hours on Saturday, with Iranian Revolutionary Guard gunboats firing on a tanker and forcing two Indian-flagged vessels to turn back. Tehran announced the strait will remain under strict military control until the U.S. lifts its naval blockade of Iranian ports, which President Donald Trump ordered on April 13 and has forced 23 ships to turn around. Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir is serving as an intermediary, presenting new U.S. proposals to Iran that remain under review, while Trump stated Saturday morning that talks are going well. Iran's Supreme National Security Council says it will maintain control over the strait until lasting peace is achieved and will collect information on vessels, issue transit certificates, and impose tolls on traffic.

Iran's Closure of the Strait of Hormuz and Maritime Attacks

▪Two Indian-flagged vessels were forced to reverse course in the Strait of Hormuz following reports of gunfire from Iran's Revolutionary Guard
▪The U.S. military has forced 23 ships to turn around near the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S. imposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports
▪The U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports ordered by President Donald Trump started on April 13 as part of U.S. pressure on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
▪A cargo vessel was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, with an unknown projectile hitting the vessel 25 nautical miles northeast of Oman and damaging containers on board

Ongoing U.S.-Iran Negotiations and International Mediation

▪Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Iran earlier in the week along with army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and other officials
▪Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif returned home on Saturday after visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey ahead of an expected second round of talks between the United States and Iran
▪Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz stated that comprehensive negotiations between Iran and the United States will take some time due to many complex issues on the table
▪Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz stated that a comprehensive settlement between Iran and the United States would be a prerequisite for free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz

Attack on UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon During Ceasefire

▪French President Emmanuel Macron identified the killed French soldier as Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio of the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment from Montauban

Israeli Military Operations and Incidents in Gaza and Lebanon

▪Senior Hezbollah official Mahmoud Qammati stated that Hezbollah will not tolerate any Israeli strikes similar to what happened after the November 2024 truce
▪There is no mention of a Yellow Line in the 10-day ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon that was announced by President Donald Trump