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2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis

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2026 Strait of Hormuz Crisis
Part of 2026 Iran War

The Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has returned to "strict control" as of 18 April 2026.
Date1 March 2026 – present
Location
Status

Ongoing

  • Condenação da ONU através da Resolução nº 2817
  • Iran closed the waterway again on 18 April 2026.[1]
  • U.S. Navy port blockade of Iran remains in effect.[2]
  • Failed peace talks in Islamabad (11–12 April).[3]
Belligerents

United States

Supported by:

Iran

Commanders and leaders
Strength
  • 2 Aircraft carrier strike groups
  • 12+ Navy destroyers
  • F-35 stealth jets
  • Mine-clearance ships[7]
  • Shahed-136 attack drones
  • Coastal missile batteries
  • Fast-attack gunboats
  • Naval mines
Casualties and losses
  • 15+ soldiers killed
  • 538+ personnel wounded[8]
  • 3 F-15E aircraft lost
  • 17 military sites damaged
  • 3,375+ total Iranians killed[9]
  • 155+ naval vessels destroyed
  • 16 minelayer ships destroyed
  • Major damage to Bandar Abbas Navy Base
  • Current Crisis: Iran announced "strict management" of the strait on 18 April after the U.S. blocked Iranian food and fuel ships.[10]
  • Oil Impact: Prices peaked at $126/barrel in March 2026; largest supply disruption in history.
  • Shipping: 23+ merchant vessels attacked; 7 seafarers killed; 40,000 workers stranded.[11]
  • Tolls: Iran attempted to charge $1 million per ship for safe passage during Islamabad talks.

The 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis is a conflict that is currently going on in the Middle East. It began on February 28, 2026. The crisis began when Israel and United States had a surprise military attack on Iran known as Operation Epic Fury, or the 2026 Iran war.

In such attacks, a number of Iranian leaders were killed such as the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran reacted by blocking the shipping with its military in the Strait of Hormuz, a very thin waterway that is highly significant in the oil supply of the world.

The Iranian military is stopping (as of the first week of May), many ships from going through the Strait of Hormuz.[12] Some ships have been attacked. Iran has been shooting at some ships that have tried to go through the strait; Iran says that all ships must get permission (from Iranian authorities, to go through the strait); Some ships have been detained.[13] However, the Law of the Sea Treaty gives rights for ships, so that they can go through the strait.

The U.S. military is stopping (as of the first week of May), many ships from going to or from, the Strait of Hormuz.[14] At least one ship has been detained.[15]

About 2,000 ships are stranded in (, or can not leave) the Persian Gulf, as of April; About 20,000 people are working onboard those ships.[16]

Start Of The Crisis

[change | change source]

On February 28, 2026, a huge military operation known as Operation Epic Fury provoked the 2026 Strait of Hormuz Crisis. It was a collaborative air attack between Israel and the United States that attacked more than 900 targets in Iran which included the nuclear facilities, military leadership centers, and missile production facilities. First strikes killed the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei and numerous high ranking officials. Iran responded immediately by having the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declare the Strait of Hormuz a dead zone and started attacking merchant vessels to halt international trade.[17][18][19][20]

List of ships attacked by Iran

[change | change source]

Ships have been attacked, as late as the first week of May;[21][22] More than 30 ships have been attacked by Iran.

Name Flag Type Result Date Sources
HMM Namu  Panama Cargo ship Damaged May 4 [21]
Barakah  Liberia Oil tanker Damaged May 3 [23]
Unknown Bulk carrier Un­known May 3 [24]
Euphoria  Panama Container ship Unharmed April 22 [25][26]
MSC Francesca  Panama Container ship Captured April 22 [25]
Epaminondas  Liberia Container ship Captured April 22 [25]
Mein Schiff 4 [en]  Malta Cruise ship Unharmed and escaped with 5 other cruise ships April 18 [27][28]
CMA CGM Everglade  France Container ship Damaged April 18 [29][30]
Sanmar Herald  India Tanker Unharmed April 18 [29][31]


MSC Ishyka[a]  Liberia Container ship Un­known April 4 [32][33]
Aqua 1  Panama Oil tanker Damaged April 1 [34]
Al Salmi  Kuwait Oil tanker Damaged March 31 [35]
Express Rome  Liberia Container ship Unharmed March 30 [36]
Unknown N/A Bulk carrier Un­known March 21 [37]
Halul 69  Qatar Offshore vessel Minor damage March 19 [21]
Parimal  Palau Chemical tanker Abandoned; captain missing March 18 [38][21]
Gas Al Ahmadiah  Kuwait Tanker Minor damage March 17 [39]
Source Blessing  Liberia Container ship Minor damage March 12 [40]
Zefyros  Malta Oil tanker Set ablaze; abandoned March 11 [41]
Safesea Vishnu  Marshall Islands Oil tanker Set ablaze; abandoned; 1 crew killed March 11 [41][42]
Express Rome[a]  Liberia Container ship Un­known March 11 [43]
Star Gwyneth  Marshall Islands Bulk carrier Damaged March 11 [44]
One Majesty  Japan Container ship Minor damage March 11 [45]
MV Mayuree Naree  Thailand Bulk carrier Aground; 3 crew killed March 11 [45][46][47]
Unknown N/A Bulk carrier Unharmed March 10 [48]
Louis P[a]  Marshall Islands Oil tanker Un­known March 7 [49]
Prima[a]  Malta Oil/chemical tanker Un­known March 7 [50]
Mussafah 2  United Arab Emirates Tugboat Sank; 4 crew dead March 6 [51][52][53]
Sonangol Namibe  Bahamas Oil tanker Damaged March 4 [54]


Safeen Prestige  Malta Container ship Abandoned March 4 [55]
MSC Grace  Liberia Container ship Unharmed March 4 [56]
Libra Trader  Marshall Islands Crude oil tanker Minor damage March 3 [56][57]


Pelagia  Malta Bulk carrier Unharmed March 3 [58]
Gold Oak  Panama Bulk carrier Minor damage March 2 [56][57]
Athe Nova  Honduras Bitumen tanker Damaged March 2 [59]


Stena Imperative  United States Products tanker Damaged March 2 [60]
LCT Ayeh  United Arab Emirates Oil tanker Damaged March 1 to March 2 [61][62]
Ocean Electra  Liberia Tanker Minor damage March 1 [63]
MT Hercules Star  Gibraltar Oil tanker Minor damage March 1 [64]
Sea La Donna[b]  Liberia Oil/chemical tanker Un­known March 1 [65]
MKD VYOM  Marshall Islands Oil tanker Abandoned; 1 crew killed March 1 [66][67]
MT Skylight  Palau Oil tanker Abandoned; 2 crew killed, including captain March 1 [68][69][70]

List of ships attacked by the U.S.

[change | change source]

Ships have been attacked, as late as the fourth week of April. At least 9 ships have been attacked by the United States.

Name Flag Type Result Date Sources
M/V Sevan  Panama Propane and butane carrier Forced back to Iranian port, after capture; The ship had been taken in the Arabian Sea by a helicopter with a U.S. destroyer. April 25 [71]
Unknown  Iran Oil tanker Captured; Intercepted in the Persian Gulf by a destroyer, according to a U.S. authority. April 24 [72]
M/T Majestic X  Guyana[73] Oil tanker Captured; Intercepted in the Indian Ocean. April 22 [74]
Tifani  Botswana[75] Supertanker Captured; Intercepted in the Indian Ocean. April 21 [76]
Derya  Iran Oil tanker Captured; Intercepted off western India. April [77]
Sevin  Iran Oil tanker Captured; Intercepted off Malaysia. April [78]
Dorena  Iran Supertanker Captured; Intercepted off southern India. April 20 [79][80]


Touska [en]  Iran April 19 [81]
Deep Sea  Iran Oil tanker Captured; Intercepted off Malaysia. April [82]
IRIS Dena [en]  Iran Iranian Navy frigate Sunk; Torpedoed by the USS Charlotte off Sri Lanka after finishing exercises; Exercises done with the Indian Navy. 238 Iranian sailors killed, 32 rescued. April 4 [83]

The "War Of Blockades"

[change | change source]

By April 2026, the war had become a two-way blockade:

  • U.S. Operation Economic Fury: On April 12, the negotiations between the two countries broke down, President Donald Trump declared a complete naval blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal waters, which would begin April 13, 2026. According to U.S. Central Command, the blockade was effective in stopping almost all Iranian maritime trade, which eliminated about 435 million of daily Iranian economic activity.[85][86][87][88]

In a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon, Iran declared that it would completely reopen the Strait to commercial shipping on April 17, 2026. President Trump however, made it clear that the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports would not be lifted.[89][90][91][92]

Subsequently, Iran on April 18, 2026, changed its mind and reclosed the Strait. The IRGC said that the waterway would be under strict management until the U.S. ends its blockade. The same day, Iranian gunboats are said to have fired at a tanker and an Indian flagged ship transporting crude oil causing the ships to reverse.[93][94][95]

Main Events

[change | change source]
  • February 28, 2026: The U.S and Israeli airstrikes hit Iran. Iran started to assault tankers off the Strait.
  • March 1- 2, 2026: Traffic in the Strait reduced to zero. Big corporations such as Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd denied their vessels the entry to the region.
  • March 9, 2026: U.S President Donald Trump declared his intention to put the Strait under the trial of the US military to ensure that it remains open.
  • March 19, 2026: The U.S and its allies initiated a military operation to sweep in the waterway to sweep the mines and secure the ships.

Blockade Tactics

[change | change source]

To maintain the waterway blocked, Iran has employed "hybrid warfare":[96]

Global Economic and Humanitarian Impact

[change | change source]

The most serious world oil market supply shock in history is due to the crisis:

  1. 1 2 3 4 Claimed by Iran/IRGC
  2. ↑ Attack unverified

References

[change | change source]
  1. ↑ "Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again over US blockade of its ports," Al Jazeera, 18 April 2026.
  2. ↑ "Iranian gunboats fire on tanker after Strait of Hormuz closed again," CNN, 18 April 2026.
  3. ↑ "Iran War Live Updates," The New York Times, 18 April 2026.
  4. ↑ "Iran names Mojtaba Khamenei as supreme leader," AP News, 9 March 2026.
  5. ↑ "2026 Iran war," Britannica, 16 April 2026.
  6. ↑ "Iranian navy commander Alireza Tangsiri killed in airstrike," Times of Israel, 26 March 2026.
  7. ↑ "Why and how is US blockading Iranian ports?" BBC News, 14 April 2026.
  8. ↑ "US report: 290 American soldiers wounded in war," Ynetnews, 25 March 2026.
  9. ↑ "Iran war live: Iran says 3,375 people killed during war," Al Jazeera, 26 March 2026.
  10. ↑ "Iran closes strait of Hormuz again until US lifts blockade," The Guardian, 18 April 2026.
  11. ↑ "Tanker and container ship report attacks," BBC News Live, 18 April 2026.
  12. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgrpnq00j5vo. Retrieved 2026-05-05
  13. ↑ 17:54. Stranded oil tanker crew 'scared, exposed' amid blockade threats. BBC. Retrieved 2026-04-22
  14. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgrpnq00j5vo. Retrieved 2026-05-05
  15. ↑ https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/19/trump-navy-iran-ship-gulf-of-oman.html. Retrieved 2026-04-22
  16. ↑ "UN maritime agency urges help for seafarers stranded in Gulf". Al Jazeera. 21 April 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  17. ↑ LiveNOW from FOX (2026-03-30), White House on Iran, Operation Epic Fury & DHS funding, retrieved 2026-04-20
  18. ↑ "2026 Iran War".
  19. ↑ "Background on Iran and Operation Epic Fury" (PDF).
  20. ↑ Maleki, Miad (2026-04-13). "What the US naval blockade would mean for Iran's economy". www.iranintl.com. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  21. 1 2 3 4 Min-kyung, Jung (2026-05-04). "Korean-operated vessel reports damage in Hormuz; no casualties". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  22. ↑ https://www.kyivpost.com/post/74783. Retrieved 2026-04-27
  23. ↑ "UAE accuses Iran of attacking empty ADNOC oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz". Reuters. 3 May 2026. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  24. ↑ "Bulk carrier attacked by multiple small craft off Iran". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  25. 1 2 3 "3 ships attacked in Strait of Hormuz, complicating efforts to resume U.S.-Iran talks". CBC. 22 April 2026. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  26. ↑ "Iran claims seizure of two MSC-operated boxships while transiting the Strait of Hormuz". Lloyd's List. 2026-04-22. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  27. ↑ "Trade ships hit in Hormuz as Iran recloses strait". France 24. 2026-04-18. Retrieved 2026-04-18.
  28. ↑ Cite error: The named reference aroy was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  29. 1 2 "Tanker fired on by Iran in Hormuz Strait, container ship struck". Seatrade Maritime News. Retrieved 2026-04-18.
  30. ↑ Petrequin, Samuel (19 April 2026). "French shipping company says one of its ships was targeted". AP News. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  31. ↑ "Top updates: Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  32. ↑ "Iran Claims to Have Hit an MSC Container Ship in the Mideast". The Maritime Executive. 5 April 2026.
  33. ↑ "10 impact sites after Iran fires cluster missile; Tehran claims strike on 'Israel-linked ship'". Ynetglobal. 2026-04-04. Retrieved 2026-04-04.
  34. ↑ "QatarEnergy tanker hit causing a fire". Seatrade Maritime News. 1 April 2026. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  35. ↑ "Kuwaiti tanker 'Al Salmi' attacked by Iranian forces off Dubai coast". Gulf News. 31 March 2026. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  36. ↑ "Facts about Strait of Hormuz shipping blockade". France 24. 30 March 2026. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  37. ↑ "Explosion reported near bulk carrier off UAE coast". Argus Media. 22 March 2026. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  38. ↑ "Tanker struck near Strait of Hormuz off UAE, monitors say". The Manila Times. 20 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  39. ↑ "Projectile hits Kuwait-flagged gas tanker off UAE's Fujairah". Reuters. 16 March 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  40. ↑ "Projectile fragments hit Hapag-Lloyd container vessel near Strait of Hormuz". Reuters. 12 March 2026.
  41. 1 2 "Strait of Hormuz in crosshairs of Iran conflict as attacks on ships escalate". CNN. 11 March 2026. Archived from the original on 12 March 2026. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  42. ↑ "Indian crew member dies in attack by Iran against US-owned oil tanker Safesea Vishnu". deccanherald.com.
  43. ↑ "Three crew believed trapped on Thai ship hit in Strait of Hormuz". Seatrade Maritime News. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  44. ↑ Chambers, Sam (11 March 2026). "Multiple ships hit on day 12 of Iran war". Splash247. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  45. 1 2 "Three vessels hit by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz". Reuters. 11 March 2026. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  46. ↑ Tanakasempipat, Patpicha; Yuvejwattana, Suttinee (11 March 2026). "Thai Cargo Ship Hit in Strait of Hormuz; Three Crew Missing". Bloomberg Business News. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  47. ↑ "Thailand confirms three deaths from vessel attacked in Strait of Hormuz". Reuters. 8 April 2026. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
  48. ↑ "Iran keeps up attacks on Gulf states, says not a 'single liter of oil' will ship out | The Times of Israel". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  49. ↑ "Iran says it hit tanker in Strait of Hormuz". DW. Archived from the original on 7 March 2026. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  50. ↑ "Iran attacks Malta-flagged tanker in Gulf near Strait of Hormuz". Al Jazeera. 7 March 2026. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  51. ↑ "Salvage Tug Reported Attacked Near Straits of Hormuz with Crew Feared Dead". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  52. ↑ "Three Indonesian crew missing after UAE tugboat sinks in Strait of Hormuz". The New Arab. 8 March 2026. Retrieved 8 March 2026.[permanent dead link]
  53. ↑ "Three Indonesian crew missing after tugboat sinks in Strait of Hormuz". The Jakarta Post. 9 March 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  54. ↑ "Explosion reported off tanker near Kuwait, crew safe, UKMTO says". Reuters. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  55. ↑ "Malta-flagged container ship hit by projectile in Hormuz, vessel abandoned, sources say". Reuters. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  56. 1 2 3 "Oman Rescues Crew of UAE Containership Struck by Missile". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  57. 1 2 "Gulf shipping crisis deepens as tankers stranded for fifth day, US sinks Iranian warship". Reuters. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  58. ↑ "Tanker struck off Kuwait, spilling oil". Seatrade Maritime News. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  59. ↑ "Iran Claims Strike on Iran-Linked Bitumen Tanker". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  60. ↑ "US flagged products tanker hit by unknown projectiles in Bahrain port, sources say". Reuters. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  61. ↑ Bhattacherjee, Kallol (3 March 2026). "Iran-Israel war: India cannot remain 'impervious' if Indians are hurt in the Gulf conflict, says MEA". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  62. ↑ "39 Indian flag ships and some 23,000-crew stranded in Iran, Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf". ETInfra.com. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  63. ↑ G, Arthur (1 March 2026). "Greek-owned tanker among four vessels attacked near Strait of Hormuz Greek City Times". Greek City Times. Archived from the original on 3 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  64. ↑ "Peninsula-Chartered Tanker Sustains 'Minor Damage' in Iranian Attack". Ship & Bunker. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  65. ↑ "Maritime security update: Gulf Region / Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea". skuld.com. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  66. ↑ "Another oil tanker hit by drone boat as Strait of Hormuz tensions rise". Euronews. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  67. ↑ "Crew member killed after projectile hits MKD VYOM tanker off Oman, manager says". Reuters. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  68. ↑ "3 Indians killed in Iranian attacks off Oman; 20 injured across West Asia". Hindustan Times. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  69. ↑ Epstein, Jake; Baker, Sinéad. "Fighting with Iran has spread to tankers at sea. Ships are coming under fire around the busy Strait of Hormuz". Business Insider. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  70. ↑ "2 Indians Killed In Iran Attack On Oil Tanker 'Skylight' In Strait Of Hormuz". ndtv.com.
  71. ↑ https://kyivindependent.com/us-intercepted-russian-shadow-fleet-vessel-in-arabian-sea-us-central-command-says/
  72. ↑ https://sundayguardianlive.com/world/us-israel-iran-war-latest-news-uss-rafael-peralta-intercepts-iranian-flagged-vessel-amid-naval-blockade-dark-fleet-crackdown-186409/. Retrieved 2026-04-26
  73. ↑ https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/9198317
  74. ↑ https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/security/us-seizes-iran-linked-tanker-majestic-x
  75. ↑ https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/9273337
  76. ↑ https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/9273337
  77. ↑ https://www.nationthailand.com/news/world/40065398
  78. ↑ https://www.marinelink.com/news/us-intercepts-three-iranian-tankers-asian-538378
  79. ↑ https://www.afr.com/world/asia/us-intercepts-three-iranian-oil-tankers-in-asian-waters-sources-say-20260423-p5zqag
  80. ↑ https://www.nationthailand.com/news/world/40065398
  81. ↑ https://www.nettavisen.no/nyheter/nye-omfattende-sanksjoner/s/5-95-3002575. Retrieved 2026-04-25
  82. ↑ https://www.afr.com/world/asia/us-intercepts-three-iranian-oil-tankers-in-asian-waters-sources-say-20260423-p5zqag
  83. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9qdd318qd9o
  84. ↑ "2026 Iran war".
  85. ↑ Vincent, Brandi (2026-04-16). "U.S. launches 'Operation Economic Fury' to obstruct Iran's revenue streams amid blockade". DefenseScoop. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  86. ↑ jcookson (2026-04-17). "The Strait of Hormuz is 'open,' but the US blockade remains in place. Here's what that means". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  87. ↑ Staff, Al Jazeera. "US military says blockade of Iran ports 'completely' halts economic trade". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  88. ↑ Maleki, Miad (2026-04-13). "What the US naval blockade would mean for Iran's economy". www.iranintl.com. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  89. ↑ jcookson (2026-04-17). "The Strait of Hormuz is 'open,' but the US blockade remains in place. Here's what that means". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  90. ↑ DD India (2026-04-17), Strait of Hormuz Explained: What Iran’s ‘Controlled Opening’ Means, retrieved 2026-04-20
  91. ↑ CTV News (2026-04-17), Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz | CTV National News at 5:30 for April 17, 2026, retrieved 2026-04-20
  92. ↑ "Hormuz 17 April 2026 #1 | International Crisis Group". www.crisisgroup.org. 2026-04-17. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  93. ↑ Williams, Jessie (2026-04-19). "Iran closes strait of Hormuz again 'until US lifts blockade'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  94. ↑ Global News (2026-04-18), Global National: April 18, 2026 | Iran reverses course, places restrictions back on Strait of Hormuz, retrieved 2026-04-20
  95. ↑ Geo Headlines (2026-04-18), American blockade! The Strait of Hormuz is closed again | Geo News 12 AM Headlines | 19 April 2026, retrieved 2026-04-20
  96. ↑ "Background on Iran and Operation Epic Fury" (PDF).
  97. ↑ "'Clock is ticking': Hormuz disruption raises fears of global food crisis | UN News". news.un.org. 2026-04-13. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  98. ↑ "'Clock is ticking': Hormuz disruption raises fears of global food crisis | UN News". news.un.org. 2026-04-13. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  99. ↑ "Dire fertiliser shortage a lurking threat due to Hormuz crisis | UN News". news.un.org. 2026-03-23. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  100. ↑ "Hormuz closure disrupts global fertilizer trade, raising food prices | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2026-04-14. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  101. ↑ "Beyond oil: 9 commodities impacted by the Strait of Hormuz crisis". World Economic Forum. Retrieved 2026-04-20.