“We're talking to them. They wanted to close up the strait again, as they've been doing for years, and they can't blackmail us.
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Iran Re-Closes Strait of Hormuz and Fires on Indian Ships
April 18, 2026
One day after briefly reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Revolutionary Guard reversed course on April 18, 2026, re-closing the waterway and firing on two Indian-flagged merchant ships — the tanker Sanmar Herald and cargo vessel Jag Arnav — forcing them to turn back. The IRGC warned that "no vessel should make any movement" toward the strait and declared it would remain shut "until the US restores full freedom of navigation for vessels travelling from Iran." The re-closure came after President Trump declared the strait "COMPLETELY OPEN" on Truth Social while simultaneously insisting the US naval blockade on Iran would remain "in full force." Iran accused the US of violating the ceasefire deal by maintaining the blockade. India summoned Iran's ambassador, calling the attack on its ships "completely unacceptable." European allies demanded unconditional reopening of the strait.
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9 Statements
“This ceasefire is insufficient. House Democrats demand Speaker Johnson immediately reconvene the House to move a war powers resolution to end this conflict permanently.
“It's abundantly clear that after 47 years, promises coming from the Iranian regime are worthless. Control the strait. Continue the blockade. Put Kharg island in the crosshairs.
“Iran's brave navy stands ready to make the enemies taste the bitterness of new defeats.
“The Strait of Hormuz is under the control of the Islamic Republic. The Americans have been declaring a blockade for several days now. This is a clumsy and ignorant decision.
“Americans are risking the international community, risking the global economy through these, I can say, miscalculations. They are risking the whole ceasefire package.
“Attacks on merchant shipping are completely unacceptable. Global growth demands that energy markets are not constricted. As a major energy consumer, India will work with like-minded partners to develop supply chain resilience.
“We all demand the full, immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by all parties. We all oppose any restrictions or system of agreements that would, in effect, amount to an attempt to privatise the strait.
“The reopening must become both lasting and a workable proposal. The United Kingdom and France will lead a strictly peaceful and defensive multinational mission to protect freedom of navigation as soon as conditions allow.