Iran briefly reopens – then closes – the Strait of Hormuz

WorldPolitics
18 Apr 2026 • 5:26 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Iran briefly reopens – then closes – the Strait of Hormuz

  • Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz again, shortly after reopening it.
  • Reuters reported that a group of four liquefied petroleum gas carriers and several oil product and chemical tankers passed through Iranian waters south of Larak Island ⁠on Saturday.
  • That marked the first substantial movement of ships in the crucial waterway since the US and Israel began their conflict with Iran seven weeks ago.
  • However, Tehran's joint military command said later on Saturday that its "control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state... under strict management and control of the armed forces".
  • It warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports continued.

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