Iran Reasserts Control Over Strait of Hormuz
Last update: April 18, 2026
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Iran says it has reimposed military control over the Strait of Hormuz shortly after briefly reopening the key shipping route.
Iran said on Saturday that it has reimposed control over the Strait of Hormuz, just hours after reopening the key shipping route that carries about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.
CBI News reports that the state television quoted military commanders as saying the waterway was again under “strict management and control of the armed forces”, adding that the move was in response to what it described as an ongoing naval blockade by the United States.
Maritime tracking data showed commercial vessels continuing to move through the narrow passage despite the announcement.
Some ships reportedly sailed close to Iranian territorial waters while broadcasting Indian or Chinese identities, apparently to indicate neutrality.
By mid-morning GMT, at least eight oil and gas tankers had passed through, while several others appeared to turn back.
The development casts uncertainty over remarks by US President Donald Trump, who said a day earlier that a deal aimed at ending the conflict involving Washington, Israel, and Tehran was “very close”.
Iran had reopened the strait following a ceasefire in Lebanon that paused fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
The temporary reopening had briefly eased oil prices before Tehran warned it could shut the route again if what it called a blockade persisted.
Diplomatic efforts continue, with mediation led by Pakistan intensifying.
Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, recently visited Tehran, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been engaging regional leaders in support of negotiations.
Egypt has also suggested that a final agreement could be reached in the coming days.
Talks are expected to resume in Islamabad this week after earlier discussions involving US Vice President JD Vance.
However, a key sticking point remains unresolved over Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium.
Trump claimed Tehran had agreed to hand over about 440 kilogrammes enriched to 60 per cent, but Iran rejected the assertion.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the material would not be transferred, stressing that it had never been part of the negotiations.
