Iran’s military declared on April 18 that the Strait of Hormuz had returned to closed status, reversing a brief opening announced the day before after Trump confirmed the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place. The UK Maritime Trade Operations center confirmed that IRGC gunboats opened fire on a tanker transiting the strait on April 19, describing the vessel and crew as safe.
At least two additional vessels came under fire during the same period. Iran’s parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated on Iranian state television: “It is impossible for others to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while we cannot.”
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