Iran reimposes 'strict control' over Strait of Hormuz, citing continued U.S. naval blockade

Freddie Clayton Sat, April 18, 2026 at 9:15 AM UTC

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Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks as a map of the Strait of Hormuz is displayed during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on April 16. (Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty Images) (Saul Loeb)

Iranian military officials said Saturday that conditions in the Strait of Hormuz have reverted to “strict control,” citing the continued U.S. blockade of its ports, just one day after declaring the waterway “completely open.”

“Control over the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state, and this strategic waterway is now under strict management and control of the armed forces,” a spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya military command headquarters said.

“Until America allows full freedom of navigation for vessels traveling from Iran to destinations and vice versa, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain under strict control and in its previous condition,” the statement added.

Iran had announced the reopening of the vital waterway on Friday, though there had been limited initial movement while shipping companies assessed the changes.

President Donald Trump said an American blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a peace deal is reached, prompting Iran’s parliament speaker to warn that the vital waterway would “not remain open” unless the U.S. lifted its blockade.

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“The Americans, with their repeated breaches of commitments well documented in their record continue acts of piracy and maritime theft under the so-called blockade,” the Iranian military spokesperson said Saturday.

Iran’s navy said Saturday that the strait will remain under Iranian military control as long as the U.S. blockade remains in place.

“Any breach of commitments by America will receive an appropriate response,” the Navy Command of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said, according to Iran’s semiofficial Fars News agency.

“As long as the passage of vessels from Iran and to Iran is threatened, the status of the Strait of Hormuz will remain as it was before,” it added.

The crucial Strait of Hormuz trade route, through which 20% of the world’s oil passed before the war, had been declared “completely open” for commercial vessels for the remainder of the ongoing ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.

On Friday’s announcement, U.S. crude oil had plunged 11.4% to $83.85 per barrel, its lowest level since March 10, while international Brent crude slid 9% to $90.38 per barrel.

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Source: “AOL Breaking”