Iranian Gunboats Open Fire on Tanker in Strait of Hormuz: What to Know
Iran has once more closed the Strait of Hormuz, deploying gunboats to deter any tankers trying to cross the chokepoint, the Associated Press reported. So far, two vessels have been struck while others have changed course to avoid the risk of attack.
The closure will apply fresh pressure to the markets and peace talks after President Donald Trump and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday announced the strait had fully reopened. However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) just hours later disputed this statement and declared the strait would remain closed.
Newsweek reached out to the White House by email on Saturday morning for comment.
Why It Matters
The standoff over the strait has taken some turns in the past two days as the U.S. and Iran continue to negotiate a ceasefire, at which the strait sits squarely central among the various competing demands. Araghchi announced the waterway was "fully open," and Trump amplified the claim even as diplomacy around a regional ceasefire and broader negotiations churned.
However, Trump’s insistence that a naval blockade remained in place, which experts noted as an attempt to force a deal across the finish line, meant the practical meaning of "open" was muddied by unresolved details, such as how transit would work and under what rules.
Then, the IRGC announced later on Friday the strait remained closed until Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ordered it to open, with some analysts saying this shows a split in the Iranian regime, although the full nature of that remains unclear at this time.
What To Know
Ships attempted to pass through the strait following Iran’s announcement the waterway was fully opened, but on Saturday a tanker and container ship reported gunfire and projectiles launched from gunships.
Some ships had passed through the strait on Friday following the announcement from Iran and the U.S., leading to the belief that business could resume to normal levels sooner than later and powering a price drop on oil that saw Brent Crude plummet from $98.57 per barrel to $87.25 per barrel-the lowest level since the Iran war started on February 28, when oil was $72.29 per gallon.
But the Fars News Agency, which is linked to the IRGC, said Saturday the military had taken control of the strait and would return it to “its previous state,” with armed forces controlling the area, according to the BBC.
The Iranian military also accused the U.S. of “piracy,” saying the blockade amounted to maritime robbery.
The United Kingdom Maritime Traffic Organization (UKMTO) reported two incidents on Saturday: Both attacks occurred to the northeast of Oman, with a tanker approached by two IRGC gunboats the ultimately opened fire, while the container ship reported being hit by “an unknown projectile” that damaged some of the containers.
Neither crew reported any injuries, and the tanker reported “no fires or environment impact” following the attack.
“Vessels are advised to report suspicious activity to UKMTO,” the organization wrote on its website, where it reports any attacks or incidents, including a “suspicious activity” alert warning of a Cruise ship reporting a “splash in close proximity to the vessel.”
One of the remaining concerns about safety in the strait is that Iran laid mines across the waterway. Germany has offered to help with a mission to clear mines from the strait once fighting ends, but in the meantime their lingering presence makes it difficult to safely traverse the passage, which would explain Iran’s request that ships use specific routes to move through the area.
What Happens Next
On Saturday morning, Trump said talks with Iran are going well and that he expects to have more information "by the end of the day."
The president also told reporters that Iran "got a little cute," later adding, "They wanted to close up the strait again.”
"They can't blackmail us," Trump said.
Newsweek's reporters and editors used Martyn, our Al assistant, to help produce this story. Learn more about Martyn.
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This story was originally published April 18, 2026 at 10:09 AM.