At least two merchant ships have been fired upon while attempting to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters sources. Boats from Iran's Revolutionary Guard approached a tanker and fired shots, the British maritime observer UKMTO reported. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that vessels attempting to cross the strait would be attacked, and it has closed the Strait of Hormuz to vessels traveling to and from enemy ports. The IRGC stated it will not allow a single drop of oil to leave the region through the strait, though it also claimed the waterway is open to non-military vessels, while military ones will receive a forceful response.
In response, U.S. Central Command will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 a.m. EDT, CENTCOM said. The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports. However, CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports. The U.S. military confirmed that two destroyers passed through the Strait of Hormuz ahead of mine-clearing operations.
The economic and global impact has been severe. Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped to about zero, according to research from three sources. Oil prices surged, with Brent crude oil prices surpassing US$100 per barrel on 8 March 2026. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has been described as the largest disruption to the energy supply since the 1970s energy crisis. The strait facilitates the transit of around 20 million barrels of oil per day, representing roughly 20% of global seaborne oil trade, according to two sources.
Iran has issued broader military threats and conducted regional attacks. Iran's Revolutionary Guard urged civilians across the Middle East to stay away from areas near U.S. forces. It warned of attacks against U.S. companies in the region from April 1 if more Iranian leaders are killed, and announced it will increase the power and frequency of its missile launches. Tehran indicated no let-up in reprisal attacks against Israel and targets across the Gulf. Kuwait said its main commercial port was damaged in a drone attack at dawn. Several U.S. allies in the region are attacked almost daily by drones and rockets from Iran, according to major media reports. A fuel tanker fire is described as a major blaze at Kuwait International Airport after a drone attack on Wednesday morning. Fires are reported in Bahrain after an attack, and Saudi Arabia reported several drones were intercepted.
Confusion and conflicting reports surround the strait's status. On Wednesday evening, there is complete confusion about what is happening in the Strait of Hormuz, according to major media reports from six sources. Minutes later, Iranian state TV reported that the Strait of Hormuz is completely closed. On Wednesday afternoon, the BBC reported that ships in the Strait of Hormuz received a warning message from the IRGC stating the strait is closed and permission is required to pass, with threats of destruction for violators. Iranian media report that oil tankers have stopped passing through the Strait of Hormuz after the IRGC warning. The IRGC said it had turned back three ships seeking to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran will 'not let one liter of oil' through the Strait of Hormuz.
Negotiations and diplomatic developments are unfolding amid the crisis. On Tuesday night, a breakthrough in negotiations occurred, with the U.S. and Iran agreeing to open the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks, according to major media reports from six sources. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, wrote on X that safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran's military for two weeks. Iran's national security committee approved a bill to introduce fees in the strait, according to Bloomberg on April 7. Trump extended a deadline for Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz from Friday to April 6, according to major media reports. Negotiations revolve around a 15-point U.S. 'action list', relayed via Pakistan, to which Tehran has reportedly replied. Iran's Tasnim news agency said Tehran is demanding war reparations and respect for its 'sovereignty' over the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran called for an end to U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and proxy groups in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz is 21 miles wide at its narrowest point, forming a seaway passage between Iran and Oman, according to research from three sources. Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz constitutes a violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The strategic waterway's closure has immediate ramifications for global energy security, given its role in transporting one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil.
Iran's military tactics and capabilities have surprised the U.S. by disabling much of its radar and advanced warning capability, allowing it to continue attacking ships and facilities in the region with missiles and drones, and to begin mining the crucial waterway, according to research from three sources. This has enabled sustained operations despite U.S. military presence.
Historically, Iran has made 21 confirmed attacks on merchant ships as of 12 March 2026, according to research from three sources. The U.S. and Israel have attacked several thousand targets in Iran since February 28, and Iran has responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz and attacking small states in the Gulf region, according to major media reports from six sources. This cycle of escalation has deepened the regional conflict.
Unrelated incidents in Sweden highlight regional distractions. SMHI has issued warnings for grass fires in large parts of Svealand, snow-free parts of Norrland, and on Gotland. The rescue service is handling an alarm about smoke from a chimney at the Skärholmen Centrum shopping center. The shopping center has been evacuated, according to reports from the scene. A driver alerted police around 06:00 that a man left his car in a roundabout, and a report of reckless driving has been filed. A woman in her 20s died after a car accident on Gotland around 04:00 on Saturday morning.
Key uncertainties persist in the crisis. The specific terms and conditions of any U.S.-Iran agreement regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz remain unclear. It is also unknown how many ships have been attacked or turned back in the strait since the closure began. The current military capability of Iran is uncertain, given conflicting reports about its navy, air force, and missile systems. The exact timeline of events, including when the Strait of Hormuz was closed and any subsequent openings or negotiations, has not been fully detailed. The immediate economic impacts on global markets, such as oil prices and shipping costs, beyond the reported surges, are still being assessed.