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2026 United States naval blockade of Iran

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2026 United States naval blockade of Iran
Part of the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis
Satellite view of the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which the blockade affects
TypeBlockade
Location
Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf coast of Iran, Indo-Pacific region
Commanded byDonald Trump
Brad Cooper[1]
Samuel Paparo[1]
TargetBlock vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports
Date13 April 2026 (2026-04-13) – present
(3 weeks and 6 days)
Executed by United States Armed Forces
OutcomeOngoing
  • Three ships seized
  • 45 vessels intercepted[2] (per CENTCOM)
  • 26 vessels bypass the blockade[3] (per Lloyd's list)
  • Costing Iran $500 million daily (per US)[4]
  • Iran seized two cargo ships in retaliation[5]

On 13 April 2026, the United States imposed a naval blockade on Iran following the failure of the Islamabad Talks to end the 2026 Iran war.[6][7][8][9][10] The US military said the blockade had begun on Monday, 13 April 2026 at 10 a.m. ET and will apply only to ships going to and from Iran.[11] Iran said it will view the entry of military vessels near the strait as a breach of the two-week 2026 Iran war ceasefire and will respond accordingly.[12]

On 17 April, Iran announced that passage of commercial vessels through the Hormuz Strait was completely open during the truce in Lebanon.[13] On 18 April, Iran said that it closed the Strait of Hormuz again in response to the US refusing to lift its naval blockade.[14] By 18 April, the US stated that it had intercepted a total of 23 vessels.[15] Meanwhile by 20 April, Lloyd's List said at least 26 ships had managed to bypass the US blockade line in both directions (both towards Iranian ports and departing from Iranian ports).[3] On 19 April, the first direct action of the blockade occurred when the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the destroyer USS Spruance seized the Iranian-flagged vessel Touska.[16]

On 22 April, US president Donald Trump claimed that the naval blockade is costing Iran $500 million daily,[4] while the US Department of Defense estimated Iran lost $4.8 billion in oil revenue by 1 May.[17]

Background

Further information: 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis, 2026 Iran war fuel crisis, and 2025–2026 Iran–United States negotiations § During the 2026 Iran war

Before the United States and Israel launched their 2026 war against Iran, the Strait of Hormuz was open and about 25% of the world's seaborne oil trade and 20% of the world's liquefied natural gas passed through it.[18]

On 28 February 2026, the US and Israel launched surprise airstrikes on Iran, targeting military and government sites, as well as assassinating Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other Iranian officials, starting the 2026 Iran war. In response, Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the US military to begin a military campaign to reopen it.[19]

On 9 March, US president Donald Trump said that "the war is very complete, pretty much", and claimed that the Iranian military had been destroyed and the Strait of Hormuz had re-opened, also expressing his interest in seizing control of the waterway from Iran.[20] On 15 March, Trump called for help from NATO and China to re-open the strait and protect shipping, but they declined. He said the US did not need the oil that passed through the strait and suggested "maybe we shouldn't even be there".[21] Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the strait was open to all except the US, Israel and their allies.[22] Ten days later, it was reported that Iran was beginning to allow some ships through the strait in exchange for a toll of up to $2 million per ship, as well as allowing passage of some ships owned by China, Russia, India, Iraq, Pakistan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand.[23][24][25][26]

In late March and early April, Trump repeatedly gave ultimatums to Iran, threatening to destroy Iran's infrastructure and "civilization", bombing it "back to the Stone Ages" if it did not make a deal with the US and re-open the Hormuz strait.[19][27] The Iranian Revolutionary Guards responded that the strait "will not be opened to the enemies of this nation through the ridiculous spectacle by the president of the United States".[19]

Trump claimed that 158 vessels belonging to the Iranian naval forces had been destroyed. Consequently, he asserted that only small, high-speed attack boats remained operational.[28][29] Trump has said that other countries would be involved in enforcing the naval blockade of Iran, but did not specify which ones.[30]

On 8 April 2026, the US and Iran agreed to a temporary two-week ceasefire, which was to involve the re-opening of the strait. However, Iran continued to restrict and control passage through the strait[31] after 8 April 2026 Lebanon attacks.

During the ceasefire, the US and Iran held negotiations in Islamabad on 11–12 April, which ended without agreement.[32][33][34] Following the failure of the talks, Trump said he no longer cared about negotiations.[35] He announced that the US Navy itself would blockade the strait, stopping "any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz". However, United States Central Command clarified that the blockade would only be enforced on ships travelling to or from Iranian ports.[36]

Blockade and evasion

On 13 April 2026, at 10 a.m. ET, the U.S. military naval blockade of Iran took effect,[37] at the direction of Donald Trump and under the command of Admiral Brad Cooper at the United States Central Command.[1] According to CENTCOM, the blockade is set to encompass "the entirety of the Iranian coastline," warning that any vessel "entering or departing the blockaded area without authorization is subject to interception, diversion, and capture."[38] President Trump threatened to strike any fast-attack ships of the IRGC Navy with drug boat-style attacks, similar to those carried out against alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean Sea during Operation Southern Spear.[39]

In the first 24 hours after the blockade took effect on 13 April 2026, CENTCOM reported that over 10,000 U.S. personnel, supported by more than a dozen warships and dozens of aircraft, were enforcing the operation. No vessels attempted to breach the blockade, while six commercial ships complied with orders and were redirected back to Iranian ports.[40] CENTCOM added that "The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian ‌Gulf ⁠and Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of ⁠Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports."[41]

On 14 April, at least four ships related to Iran crossed the Strait of Hormuz, according to public transponder data viewed by BBC Verify.[42][43] Those vessels later stopped or turned around, after presumed interception by US forces, according to shipping data firms and the Sydney Morning Herald.[44]

On the same day, a US official stated that a total of 8 oil tankers entering or leaving Iranian ports had been intercepted since the start of the blockade. All tankers complied with directions to reverse course and no boarding was necessary.[45] Tankers departing from the Chabahar Port were contacted by a US destroyer, while Boeing P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft were also used to intercept tankers.[45]

By 15 April, U.S. CENTCOM stated that ten vessels had been turned around and no ships had broken through since the start of the US blockade.[46]

On 16 April, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, held a press conference with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. They clarified that the blockade is on the ports and coastline of Iran rather than the Strait of Hormuz, and that enforcement will also occur in other areas. It was announced that the United States Indo-Pacific Command under Admiral Samuel Paparo would begin conducting interdiction activities against ships that left Iran before the blockade. They also stated that the number of vessels intercepted by US forces had risen to 13, but all so far had complied with US directions.[1] By 18 April, the number had risen to 23.[15]

U.S. Navy ships intercepting Touska

By 17 April, Lloyd's List reported that 8 Iranian vessels had managed to evade the blockade and cross westward into the Gulf of Oman to reach Iran. The vessels were headed for Iranian ports, and at least one vessel had managed to reach Bandar Abbas by 16 April. Two sanctioned oil supertankers had also crossed the US blockade line but did not indicate their destination to mask their route.[47]

On 19 April, the US seized the Iran-flagged cargo ship Touska after it attempted to breach the blockade.[48] The vessel, almost 900 feet (270 m) long, was en route to Bandar Abbas. It was warned by the guided missile destroyer USS Spruance over a six-hour period before the destroyer fired several rounds from its 5-inch/54-caliber Mark 45 gun into the engine room, disabling it. It was then seized by the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Gulf of Oman.[49][50] Iran retaliated against the seizure by launching attack drones at U.S. ships, although no damage was reported.[51] According to Reuters, the seized ship was probably carrying equipment that the US considered "dual-use," meaning that it had equipment that could be used by the Iranian army.[52]

On 20 April, it was reported by Lloyd's List that at least 26 Iranian ships had successfully bypassed the American blockade, including 11 tankers with Iranian cargo that managed to exit the Gulf of Oman.[3] On the same day, CENTCOM announced that the number of intercepted ships had risen to 27.[53]

Overnight on 21 April, US forces boarded the stateless oil tanker MT Tifani in the INDOPACOM operational region, stating that it was linked to Iranian smuggling.[54] The vessel had loaded oil from Kharg Island earlier in the month but left before the blockade.[55] On 22 April, the US said that it had intercepted a total of 29 ships.[56]

By 8 May, the US had forced roughly 70 commercial vessels to turn around or return to port, according to CENTCOM.[2]

Reactions

Iran

Iran condemned the planned blockade and said it would be illegal and constitute piracy. An Iranian army statement said that if the security of Iran's "ports in the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea is threatened, no port in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea will be safe."[57]

On 17 April, Iran announced that passage of commercial vessels through the Hormuz Strait was completely open during the truce in Lebanon.[13] President Trump later clarified that the US blockade against vessels departing from or docking at Iranian ports would still remain in effect, despite this development.[58] The decision to continue the blockade would result in Iran cancelling the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, with video footage also showing ships turning away from the Strait.[59][60] On 18 April, Iran said that it closed the Strait of Hormuz again in response to the US refusing to lift its naval blockade,[14] while accusing the US of a 'ceasefire violation' after the US seized an Iranian ship and promising a response.[61] Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi called the US blockade an 'act of war.'[62] An advisor of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that Iran should respond to the blockade with a military response.[63]

Amir Saeid Iravani asked UN Secretary-General António Guterres to intervene regarding the US's seizure of the Toska, claiming that it was a clear ceasefire violation.[64]

International

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed support for the naval blockade on Iran.[65]

China condemned the blockade as "irresponsible and dangerous"[66] and said that it "would go against the international community’s interests".[67] The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the actions would only "exacerbate tensions and undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement" and urged "relevant parties to honor the ceasefire agreement".[43][68] Russia condemned the blockade and warned of an "economic earthquake."[69] Spain's defense minister Margarita Robles additionally stated that the blockade "makes no sense," and that "since this war started, nothing makes sense."[70]

Additionally, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the European Union expressed their lack of support for the plan, instead favoring de-escalation and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.[70][71] The United Kingdom and France have promoted an alternative task force of a "multinational mission" to open the Strait.[72]

Alternative routes

Iran has significant land borders with Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Armenia.[73] In 2024, millions of liters of Iranian oil was smuggled into Pakistan by land every day, traffic that added up to more than $1 billion annually.[74]

At least 40% of Iran's exports are oil, as of 2023. Of the non-oil exports, about one-third is shipped out of Iran via land or air.[74]

Prior to the 8 April 2026 ceasefire, the Israeli Air Force bombed Iranian naval installations in the Caspian Sea, resulting in claims that Israel had effectively barred Iran's seaborne trade with Caspian Sea bordering countries.[75] On 14 April, professor Christopher Clary said Iran maintained access via the Caspian Sea to Russia and Kazakhstan.[73]

Samir Madani, co-founder of TankerTrackers, said that a large Iranian oil tanker named HUGE had successfully avoided the US blockade by remaining very close to the Pakistani and Indian coasts until reaching the Strait of Malacca. Madani also suggested Iranian tankers may attempt to run the blockade in the future once "they have built up even further storage near the border with Pakistan."[17]

Economic impact

The US blockade of Iran was expected to negatively impact Iran's economy, as well as further raise oil prices.[74] Global oil supplies could also be disrupted if Iran retaliated against blockade by attempting to close off the Bab al-Mandeb.[74]

In the last 20 years, oil sales have declined in importance as Iran has moved to diversify its economy.[74] Oil exports are crucial for Iran's economy, constituting more than 40% of its export revenue in 2023. Of the remaining exports, about one-third are shipped via land or air.[74]

According to an analyst from the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, the blockade costs Iran a loss of US$400 million in revenue per day,[76] threatens the permanent damage or destruction of oil wells due to overflow if not ended by 26 April.[76]

A total blockade of Iranian oil would remove 2 million barrels of Iranian oil each day from the market, though the increase from this factor alone would be "moderate", according to the Brookings Institution.[74]

The US Department of Defense estimated that Iran had lost $4.8 billion in oil revenue from 13 April to 1 May due to the blockade, with a total of 31 tankers laden with 53 million barrels of Iranian oil being "stuck in the Gulf".[17]

Summary of seizures

Seizures by the United States

No. Vessel IMO number Size Date Location Cargo (mil. bbl) Notes and sources
1 Touska 9328900 Panamax 19 April 2026 Gulf of Oman N/A (Boxship) Intercepted by USS Spruance; propulsion disabled by 5-inch gun fire.[77]
2 Tifani 9273337 VLCC 21 April 2026 Indian Ocean 1.9 [78]
3 Majestic X 9198317 VLCC 23 April 2026 1.9 [79]

Seizures by Iran

In retaliation, Iran seized two international cargo ships that were transiting near the Strait of Hormuz, the MSC-Francesca (Liberia-flagged) and the Epaminodes (Panama-flagged).[80][81]

Analysis

The US blockade of Iran differs from those of Venezuela and Cuba in that Iran is retaliating by closing the Strait of Hormuz, meaning the longer the US blockade remains, the more global economy would suffer. Additionally, the blockade of Iran is militarily more demanding than those in the Caribbean Sea.[82]

See also

References

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