Iran closes Strait of Hormuz after US maintains blockade, raising oil shock concerns
via Business News2 min read
The situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz has escalated again after contradictory statements from Washington and Tehran. On Friday, April 17, 2026, Iranian authorities announced the full reopening of the strait during ongoing negotiations, a move seemingly confirmed by US President Donald Trump, who acknowledged the resumption of commercial navigation. However, Trump also stated that the naval blockade on Iranian ports would remain, citing it as leverage in discussions, particularly concerning Tehran's nuclear program. This decision prompted a strong reaction from Iran. On Saturday, April 18, the Khatam Al-Anbiya operational command, in a statement relayed by official media, denounced the blockade as an act of "piracy" and declared that the Strait of Hormuz had returned to its "previous state," now under the "strict management and control of the armed forces." Tehran is now conditioning any effective reopening on the lifting of the American blockade, demanding the restoration of "complete freedom of navigation" for vessels to and from its ports. This reversal immediately revives uncertainties about the real status of this essential maritime route, through which nearly 20% of global oil supplies transited before the tensions. This sequence highlights a fundamental divergence: Washington speaks of opening the strait while maintaining maximum economic pressure, while Tehran believes this opening is meaningless as long as its own commercial flows remain obstructed. In a cont
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