Finance
Iran's Navy Tells Ships Strait of Hormuz Shut Again, Two Vessels Report Gunfire
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 18, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 18, 2026
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Quick Summary
Iran’s navy radioed Saturday, April 18, that the Strait of Hormuz is closed again, warning all ships not to pass. Two merchant vessels reported being fired upon by IRGC gunboats near Qeshm and Larak; both turned back safely.
Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz, Fires on Ships, Sparking Oil and Shipping Concerns
Incident Overview and Impact on Global Shipping
Initial Reports of Strait Closure
ATHENS, April 18 (Reuters) - Merchant vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday received radio messages from Iran's navy telling them they were not allowed to pass, while two ships reported being hit by gunfire, shipping sources said.
Details of Vessel Encounters
Restricted Passage and Gunfire Incidents
Several commercial vessels tried to transit the strait after receiving a notice to mariners a day earlier saying passage would be allowed but restricted to lanes Iran deemed safe.
On Saturday, at least two ships reported that Iranian boats fired shots, shipping and maritime security sources told Reuters. The incidents were reported in waters between the Qeshm and Larak islands. The vessels turned back without completing the crossing, the sources said.
Specific Attacks on Tanker and Container Ship
Tanker Incident
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said it had received a report of an incident 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman. The captain of a tanker said it had been approached by two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps gunboats that fired on the vessel. The tanker and its crew were safe.
Container Ship Incident
A container ship was also hit by gunfire, a maritime security source said.
Iran's Official Communication
Some vessels reported that Iran's navy had been broadcasting a VHF message saying the Strait of Hormuz was closed again.
"Attention all ships, regarding the failure of the U.S. government to fulfil its commitment in the negotiation, Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz completely closed again. No vessel of any type or nationality is allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz," the radio message said.
Broader Implications for Oil and Shipping
Hundreds of ships and about 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf, waiting to pass through the key waterway, which handles about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows.
(Reporting by Renee Maltezou, Yannis Souliotis, Marwa Rashad, Ahmad Ghaddar and Muhammad Al Gebaly. Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise- and Mark Potter)
Key Takeaways
- •Iran reversed a prior notice reopening the strait and declared it fully closed via VHF broadcast, citing U.S. non‑compliance in negotiations (apnews.com).
- •Two commercial vessels—a tanker and a container ship—reported being fired upon by IRGC gunboats; neither suffered casualties and both aborted transit (apnews.com).
- •The disruptions come amid an escalating strategic clash: the U.S. has enforced a naval blockade of Iranian ports since April 12, while Iran continues to leverage control over the strait to pressure the U.S.; shipping flows remain seriously constrained in this vital energy corridor handling about 20% of global oil (apnews.com).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Iran's navy tells ships Strait of Hormuz shut again, two vessels report gunfire
1Why did Iran close the Strait of Hormuz?
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz citing the failure of the U.S. government to fulfill its commitments in recent negotiations.
2Were there any incidents involving ships in the Strait of Hormuz?
Yes, at least two vessels reported being hit by gunfire from Iranian boats while attempting to cross the Strait.
3What impact does the closure have on global shipping?
The closure stranded hundreds of ships and about 20,000 seafarers, affecting 20% of global oil and LNG flows.
4How did shipping authorities respond to the situation?
Authorities such as UKMTO received incident reports, and ships were instructed about the closure by radio messages from Iran’s navy.
5Is the Strait of Hormuz critical for oil shipping?
Yes, the Strait of Hormuz is a crucial waterway that handles about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows.
