Iran’s military command has re-imposed a closure on the Strait of Hormuz just hours after a brief reopening, casting doubt on President Donald Trump’s claims that a peace deal to end the US-Israeli war with Iran is “very close.”
In a dramatic reversal of its Friday announcement, Iran’s military command declared the Strait of Hormuz closed again on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The move came just hours after the strategic waterway—responsible for roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies—was briefly reopened, allowing more than a dozen commercial ships to pass through. The Iranian military’s operational command, Khatam Al-Anbiya, stated that control of the strait has “reverted to its previous state” due to what it described as an ongoing U.S. naval blockade and “piracy” targeting Iranian ports.The sudden closure has dealt a significant blow to the optimism expressed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who had recently asserted that a peace agreement to conclude the US-Israeli war with Iran was nearly finalized.
While Trump had suggested that Tehran was ready to hand over its enriched uranium stockpile as part of a 10-point peace plan, the Iranian parliament and military leadership have maintained that passage through the strait remains conditional on the total lifting of maritime blockades. Reporting from Tehran, France 24’s Reza Sayah noted that the “toing and froing” over the waterway’s status reflects a deepening disconnect between the diplomatic narratives in Washington and the military reality on the ground.The renewed blockade is expected to reverse the brief reprieve in global energy prices seen earlier in the week.
Analysts warn that with a temporary two-week ceasefire set to expire on Wednesday, April 22, the risk of a return to full-scale hostilities remains high unless a breakthrough is achieved during mediated talks in Pakistan. Despite the military’s hardline stance, Trump remains publicly bullish on a resolution, telling reporters aboard Air Force One, “I think it’s going to happen,” even as he warned that the U.S. may not extend the ceasefire if Iranian concessions regarding maritime security and nuclear enrichment are not met.
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