Iran reimposes closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing US port blockade

On Saturday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reimposed a total closure of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, citing a continued US naval blockade of Iranian ports as the justification. This move follows reports that at least two merchant vessels were struck by gunfire while attempting to transit the waterway. Earlier in the day, a convoy of eight tankers had passed through the strait, marking the first significant transit since the conflict began seven weeks ago. Iran claims the closure will persist until the United States lifts its blockade, which reportedly began on April 13 and has resulted in the diversion of 23 ships. President Donald Trump stated that the US blockade would remain in place until a peace deal is reached, noting that a current two-week ceasefire is scheduled to expire on April 22. Tehran has warned that any vessel approaching the strait will be treated as cooperating with the enemy and targeted accordingly. Meanwhile, the US denies the necessity of the blockade and maintains pressure on Iran to negotiate.