Reactions and statements from the international community
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps closed the Strait of Hormuz, declaring it closed until the U.S. maritime blockade is canceled, and warned that approaching vessels would be deemed as cooperating with the enemy.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and head of Iran's negotiating delegation with the United States, claimed control of the Strait of Hormuz is in Iran's hands and warned that passage through the strait will be restricted if the U.S. does not end its maritime blockade. Hours later, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that the Strait of Hormuz has been completely closed and any vessel approaching will be targeted.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, stated in a televised interview that the Strait of Hormuz is under the control of the Islamic Republic and warned that any further U.S. mine-clearing operations would be met with force, threatening to restrict transit if the blockade continues.
Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Ghalibaf, stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz and responded decisively to a U.S. attempt at mine-clearing, considering it a violation of the ceasefire. Ghalibaf warned that if the U.S. does not lift its blockade, movement through the Strait will be restricted.
The Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Iranian state media, has announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. lifts its siege on Iran's ports. This decision follows a previous warning to all ships to anchor around the strait, with any approach deemed as collaboration with the enemy.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has closed the Strait of Hormuz, declaring it will remain closed until the United States lifts its naval blockade in the region.
The U.S. has significantly increased its military presence in the region around the Strait of Hormuz by deploying warships, carrier strike groups, and thousands of military personnel to implement a naval blockade and intercept vessels, monitoring critical energy routes.
The IDF eliminated several Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon, near the forward defense line, after identifying a cell approaching Israeli troops in violation of the ceasefire. In a separate incident, the Israeli Air Force struck a Hezbollah tunnel shaft where multiple operatives were seen entering it.
Foreign Policy analyzes the appointment of Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council as a sign of the IRGC and security institutions' increasing influence in Iran's governance structure, according to an interview with journalist and political analyst Jamshid Barzgar.
Iranian officials have informed CNN that vessels paying for passage through the Strait of Hormuz will receive priority over those that do not pay.
U.S. envoy Tom Barrack stated at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum that the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire is fragile, with all conflicting parties being "equally untrustworthy."
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham stated that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is effectively in control of Iran's actions, as evidenced by recent conflicting declarations regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Graham expressed confidence that President Trump would address the situation through diplomatic or military means, aiming to secure control of the Strait, remove highly enriched uranium from Iran, limit Iran's missile and drone programs, and end support for terrorist organizations.
