Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps: "Strait of Hormuz Closed as of Evening on the 18th"

by Kim Jinyeong

Published 19 Apr.2026 09:41(KST)

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz was closed as of the evening of the 18th (local time). The IRGC warned that the strait will not be reopened until the United States lifts its maritime blockade against Iran.

According to Xinhua News Agency and other sources, the IRGC Navy released a statement through its own propaganda outlet, the SEPAH News website, declaring, "Any attempt to approach the Strait of Hormuz will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and such vessels will become targets for attack." The IRGC explained that this measure was taken in response to the United States violating a two-week truce, specifically by maintaining the blockade on Iranian ships and ports.

The Strait of Hormuz remains closed. MarineTraffic

The IRGC Navy demanded that vessels and their owners comply with its official announcements through IRGC channels and emergency frequency (VHF Channel 16), and argued that the statement from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the Strait of Hormuz is completely unreliable.

Previously, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had declared the previous day that "during the remainder of the truce, the passage of all merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is fully permitted," following the ceasefire announcement between Israel and Lebanon. However, just one day later, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Military Headquarters, which commands all Iranian armed forces, abruptly reversed course, stating that the Iranian military would resume control of passage through the Strait of Hormuz, citing the ongoing U.S. blockade against Iran.

It is reported that during the brief reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, more than ten oil tankers passed through. After the Iranian military announced the renewed blockade, a series of incidents involving oil and container vessels being attacked were reported to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

Experts believe that even if Iran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz, it could take up to several months to normalize navigation. According to Nihon Keizai Shimbun, International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated during a meeting with reporters at the IMO headquarters in London, UK, on the 17th, that it would take a considerable amount of time to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz, citing this as the reason for the lengthy normalization process.