Iranian state TV reported that the Strait of Hormuz is completely closed, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated on Sepah News that the strait is 'closed' to vessels travelling to and from enemy ports and that three ships were turned back. The UKMTO confirmed that at least two merchant ships were fired upon while trying to sail through the strait, and the captain of a tanker reported that IRGC speedboats approached and fired shots, though the crew is safe. The IRGC warned that vessels attempting to cross would be attacked, and the BBC reported that ships in the strait received a warning from the IRGC stating the strait is still closed and any vessel attempting to pass will be destroyed. Oil tankers have stopped passing through the strait after the IRGC warning, according to Iranian media, and tanker traffic dropped by approximately 70% and then to near zero after the closure. The strait, which is 21 miles wide at its narrowest point, is a major chokepoint for global energy trade, with about 20% of global oil supply passing through it daily.
The United States and its allies have responded forcefully to the closure. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called Iran's closure of the strait 'completely unacceptable' and said the President expects it to be open. President Donald Trump extended the deadline for Iran to open the strait from Friday to April 6, according to major media, and threatened to bomb Iran 'back to the Stone Age' if the strait is not opened. Trump also said he instructed the Navy to 'seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran.' US Central Command announced it will enforce a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports starting April 13 at 10 a.m. EDT, to be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports, but will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the strait to and from non-Iranian ports. UK Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper called for a 'swift' resolution and an end to Iran's blockade, saying 'Iran cannot be able to just hold the global economy hostage.' The US Vice President stated that Iran has promised to open the strait, though this has not been confirmed by Iranian officials.
Iran has promised to open the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has maintained a defiant position, demanding war reparations and respect for its sovereignty over the strait. Iran's military threatened to target hotels housing US soldiers across the region, and the IRGC warned that any attempt to pass without permission will be considered cooperation with the enemy and the vessel will be targeted. Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei said in a written message that Iran's navy 'stands ready' to defeat the US. The IRGC also warned that oil pipelines could be targeted and that no oil would leave the region, declaring they will not let 'not a liter of oil' through the strait. Iran's Revolutionary Guards urged civilians in the Middle East to stay away from areas near US forces and warned of attacks against US companies in the region starting April 1 if more Iranian leaders are killed, listing 18 companies including Microsoft, Meta, Google, Apple, Intel, IBM, Tesla, and Boeing. Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced they will increase the power and frequency of their rocket launches and range, according to Commander Majid Mussavi via state TV.
Military actions have escalated across the region. The US and Israel launched joint military strikes on Iran on 28 February 2026, which included the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, according to research. Fresh strikes hit Tehran, Qom, and Urmia after Israel announced 'wide-scale' hits on infrastructure, according to local media. Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks on US military bases, Israeli territory, and Gulf states. Kuwait's main commercial port was damaged in a drone attack at dawn, and Kuwait International Airport experienced a large fire after a drone attack; Bahrain reported fire after an attack; Saudi Arabia said several drones were intercepted. Two US destroyers passed through the strait ahead of mine-clearing operations, a first since the war began, according to the US military. The UK maritime security agency reported IRGC fired at one tanker, and Vanguard Tech reported IRGC threatened to 'destroy' an empty cruise ship. A vessel was hit by an unknown projectile causing damage to shipping containers, according to a UK agency. Iran has made 21 confirmed attacks on merchant ships as of 12 March 2026, according to research.
Completely unacceptable
Diplomatic efforts have been underway but remain fragile. Negotiations revolve around a 15-point US 'action list' relayed via Pakistan; Tehran has replied and is awaiting a response, according to Tasnim news agency. Iran declared the strait open on Friday after a temporary ceasefire, but reversed course after Trump insisted the blockade would continue, according to major media. The strait was again closed on Sunday; Iran's parliament speaker said a final peace deal remained 'far' off. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said there had been 'progress' but 'many gaps' remain. A two-week ceasefire is set to end on Wednesday unless renewed, according to major media. Trump said 'very good conversations' were going on but warned Iran against 'blackmail'. Trump also said the leader of Iran's new regime has asked the US for a ceasefire, and that the US will only consider a ceasefire if the strait is opened. The USA and Iran agreed to open the strait for two weeks, according to Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, but this has not been independently confirmed.
The economic impact has been severe. Oil prices surged to over $100 per barrel in March 2026, according to research. Japan plans to temporarily lift restrictions on coal-fired power plants due to the energy crunch; Vietnam temporarily waived a fuel tax, according to a Japanese official. In 2024, 84% of crude oil and condensate shipments through the strait were destined for Asian markets, and China receives a third of its oil via the strait. Europe gets 12% to 14% of its LNG from Qatar through the strait. The closure is the largest disruption to energy supply since the 1970s energy crisis, according to research.
The situation remains unclear and unpredictable, and mines have been laid in the strait.
Expert analysis and legal considerations highlight the complexity of the situation. According to Daily Express - US News, Andreas Krieg, senior lecturer at Kings College London, described Trump's ambition to blockade the strait as unrealistic and said he will be forced to make concessions. According to NRK Urix, Knut Arild Hareide of the Norwegian Shipowners' Association described the situation as unclear and unpredictable, and said that mines have been laid in the strait. Iran's closure of the strait violates the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, according to research.
Several contradictory claims and unknowns persist. The central factual dispute is whether the strait is open or closed: Iranian state TV and the IRGC say it is closed, while the US Vice President says Iran has promised to open it, and Iran's foreign minister says a two-week opening was agreed. The existence and nature of a US blockade of Iranian ports is also disputed: US Central Command announced a blockade starting April 13, but some sources do not mention it. Trump claimed Iran's military is severely weakened, saying Iran has no navy, no communications, no air force, almost all missiles destroyed, and drones shot down, but Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced increased rocket launches and range, and Iran has conducted retaliatory attacks. Negotiations and ceasefire status remain unclear: Trump said Iran has asked for a ceasefire, but Iran's parliament speaker says many gaps remain. The conflict could result in a prolonged stalemate with the strait not fully open or closed, according to research. A handful of oil and gas tankers crossed the strait early on Saturday during the brief reopening, but others retreated, according to tracking data. The '10-point plan' released by Iran does not specify conditions for safe transit, according to major media.
Iran cannot be able to just hold the global economy hostage.
Progress but many gaps remain.
Very good conversations were going on but warned Iran against blackmail.
Iran's navy stands ready to defeat the US.
Seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran.
Trump's ambition to blockade the strait is unrealistic and he will be forced to make concessions.
Not a liter of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iran war is as good as over due to military weakening of Iran.
Iran has no navy, no communications, no air force, almost all missiles destroyed, and drones shot down.
The leader of Iran's new regime has asked the US for a ceasefire, and that the US will only consider a ceasefire if the Strait of Hormuz is opened.
Bomb Iran back to the Stone Age if the strait is not opened.