We showed good faith. You didn't reciprocate.
Iran reopened then immediately reclosed the critical Strait of Hormuz, claiming US maintained illegal port blockade despite good-faith reopening gesture. Global oil markets reacted sharply: traffic dropped from 120 daily ships pre-war to 10, with 21 Iranian vessels forced to turn back by US forces.
- Iran reopened then reclosed the Strait of Hormuz within hours on April 18, 2026
- 21 Iranian vessels were forced to turn back by US forces since blockade began
- Lebanon-Israel ceasefire began April 18 after 1.5 months of fighting; nearly 2,300 Lebanese killed, over 1 million displaced
- Pre-war traffic through Hormuz: ~120 ships daily; during reopening: ~10 ships
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz hours after reopening it, citing continued US port blockade despite diplomatic peace negotiations. The move disrupts global oil trade and complicates ceasefire efforts across Middle East conflicts.
On Saturday morning, Iran announced it was closing the Strait of Hormuz again—just hours after reopening one of the world's most critical shipping channels. The reversal came in direct response to the United States maintaining its blockade of Iranian ports, a move that upended the fragile optimism that had briefly taken hold in global markets and Washington.
Friday's reopening of the waterway had been welcomed by stock exchanges and celebrated by President Donald Trump, who told the AFP that a broader peace agreement between the US and Iran was "very close." The Iranian military command had stated it was acting in good faith by allowing a limited number of oil tankers and commercial vessels through the strait. But by Saturday morning, Iranian military officials were accusing the Americans of continuing what they called "piracy under the guise of a blockade." The strategic passage, they announced, was now returning to its previous closed status and would remain under Iran's strict control.
The timing of the reversal was stark. Tracking data from MarineTraffic showed a tentative resumption of commercial traffic on Saturday morning—just over ten ships, including tankers, moving through the region. But around 9 a.m. GMT, at least two vessels appeared to be turning back. One cruise ship, the Celestyal Discovery, had managed to transit the strait without passengers, traveling between Dubai and Muscat—something that hadn't happened since the conflict began on February 28. Before the war, nearly 120 ships crossed the strait daily, according to Lloyd's List, a maritime industry publication.
The American response was swift. Trump declared that the US blockade of Iranian ports would remain "fully in effect" until negotiations concluded, and would continue if no agreement was reached. The US Central Command announced that 21 Iranian vessels had complied with orders to turn around and return to Iran since the blockade began. The reopening had triggered a sharp drop in oil prices—a significant market reaction, given that roughly 20 percent of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas passed through Hormuz before the conflict.
The diplomatic landscape remained fractured. Trump had claimed Friday that Iran had agreed to hand over its enriched uranium, a crucial negotiating point, but Iran denied making any such commitment. Meanwhile, Pakistan's military commander and prime minister both announced the conclusion of high-level diplomatic visits aimed at brokering peace. General Asim Munir completed a three-day visit to Iran, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrapped up a tour that included stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey.
On the Lebanese front, a ceasefire between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement had begun Friday at midnight, following a month and a half of fighting that killed nearly 2,300 people on the Lebanese side and displaced over one million. Israeli forces maintained a presence in a ten-kilometer-deep zone along the border. Trump claimed the US had "prohibited" Israel from bombing Lebanon, posting on Truth Social: "Israel will not bomb Lebanon anymore. The United States PROHIBITED it. ENOUGH!"
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun said his government was now working toward "a permanent agreement" with Israel, promising to protect his country's rights and cede no territory in negotiations. He described the ceasefire as "a transitional phase" to build a lasting accord. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled the military campaign was far from over, stating there were still "things we plan to do" regarding threats from Hezbollah's rockets and drones.
Conservative voices in Iran expressed skepticism about the entire peace process. The newspaper Kayhan criticized reopening the strait before receiving compensation and a complete lifting of sanctions, arguing it gave "the treacherous enemy" a chance to recover strength mid-conflict. The closure on Saturday seemed to confirm those doubts—a reminder that even tentative steps toward de-escalation remain fragile in a region where trust between adversaries remains minimal.
Citas Notables
A broader peace agreement between the US and Iran was very close— President Donald Trump, April 17
The Americans continue with acts of piracy under the guise of a blockade, so the strategic passage returns to Iran's strict control— Iranian military command, April 18
La Conversación del Hearth Otra perspectiva de la historia
Why would Iran reopen the strait only to close it again hours later? That seems like a negotiating tactic that backfires.
It was a test, really. Iran was signaling good faith—showing they could be reasonable partners. But the US didn't reciprocate. They kept the port blockade in place, which Iran saw as proof the Americans weren't serious about a real deal.
So the closure is punishment?
More like a reset. Iran is saying: we showed you we could compromise, and you didn't meet us halfway. Now we're back to where we started. It's a way of recalibrating the negotiating position.
What about the markets? The brief reopening sent oil prices down sharply.
That's the real cost of this back-and-forth. Every time the strait closes, global oil supply tightens, prices spike. Traders hate uncertainty. The brief window of calm made people think stability was coming. Now they're bracing for volatility again.
Is there any chance this gets resolved?
The diplomatic machinery is still moving—Pakistan's military and government are shuttling between capitals, Lebanon has a ceasefire holding. But Netanyahu's already saying Israel isn't done fighting Hezbollah. And Iran clearly doesn't trust American promises. The pieces are moving, but they're not aligning yet.
What happens if the strait stays closed for weeks?
Global shipping and energy markets seize up. Prices rise everywhere. Countries dependent on Middle Eastern oil start feeling real pain. That pressure usually forces negotiators back to the table, but it also hardens positions. Nobody wants to be seen as caving.