Tehran Declares Total Closure of Strait of Hormuz Until United States Lifts Port Blockade

Tehran declares the Strait of Hormuz fully closed, warns all vessels will be targeted until the US lifts its blockade on Iranian ports and ships.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 19, 2026, 5:43 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Times of Israel

The Revolutionary Guard Forces Total Maritime Halt

Iran has officially shuttered the Strait of Hormuz, moving from a restricted transit model to a comprehensive blockade of the vital waterway. According to statements released through Iranian state media, the navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has expanded its previous control measures to include a total prohibition of all traffic. This development marks a sharp pivot from the temporary coordination system established just days ago, as Tehran now refuses to allow any vessel to navigate the strategic corridor until its specific geopolitical demands are met by the West.

Abandonment of the Short Lived Transit Toll System

The current total closure represents a significant hardening of the Iranian position following a brief period of conditional access. According to state reports, Tehran had previously suggested on Friday that international vessels would be permitted to navigate the strait, provided they coordinated their movements with Iranian authorities and paid a designated toll. This transitional system, which offered a narrow window for safe passage, has now been discarded in favor of a complete naval shutdown as the diplomatic situation regarding maritime access deteriorates.

Tehran Cites Blockade as Violation of Ceasefire Terms

The justification for this aggressive naval posture stems from Iran’s interpretation of recent bilateral agreements with Washington. According to Iranian officials, the ongoing United States blockade of Iranian ports and shipping interests constitutes a direct and material violation of the existing ceasefire between the two nations. By closing the strait, the Iranian leadership is attempting to leverage its control over global energy routes to force a cessation of American economic and naval pressure on its own domestic maritime hubs.