As the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran draws to a close, the Strait of Hormuz is once again the topic of dispute.
When the countries disagreed over Lebanon’s inclusion in the ceasefire, Iran kept the passage closed.
After peace talks broke down last week, the U.S. imposed a naval blockade of ships heading through the Strait to or from Iran.
Then, the U.S. struck and seized an Iranian tanker, which Iran called “maritime piracy”.
Let’s unpack the back-and-forth.
8 April
The U.S. and Iran agree to a two-week ceasefire after mediations supported by Pakistan.
“Subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” U.S. President Donald Trump says.
Under the agreement, Iran agrees to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s announcement of the ceasefire explicitly mentions Lebanon.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Vice President JD Vance dispute this.
“I think the Iranians thought that the ceasefire included Lebanon and it just didn’t. We never made that promise,” Vance told press in Hungary.
11 April
Leaders from Iran and the U.S. meet for peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan.
"We have been at it now for 21 hours... the bad news is that we have not reached an agreement, and I think that’s bad news more for Iran than for the United States of America.” - JD Vance speaking to press after unsuccessful ceasefire talks in Islamabad.
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13 April
Trump declares a naval blockade on ships travelling to or from Iranian ports through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Parliament Speaker MB Ghalibaf addresses the blockade in a post to X, telling the U.S. it will “be nostalgic” for current fuel prices.
Wait, what is a blockade?
No single country controls the Strait of Hormuz. However, it is located off Iran’s southern border, meaningIran’s military monitors the passage.
After U.S. and Israeli strikes, Iran closed off the Strait by directing vessels attempting to access the waterway to turn back, and striking some tankers.
The scale of the U.S. Navy means it can deploy ships at the Strait’s entrance to stop vessels going to and from Iran.
17 April
Lebanon and Israel negotiate a 10-day ceasefire deal following peace talks in the U.S.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declares the Strait of Hormuz is open “for all commercial vessels” due to the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire.
19 April
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) says U.S. Marines boarded a “non-compliant vessel”, the tanker MV Touska, which was flying Iranian flags.
CENTCOM says it has directed 25 commercial vessels to leave the Strait.
The Iranian military responds in a statement shared via state media:
“The U.S. violated the ceasefire and carried out maritime piracy by firing on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman, disabling its navigation system, and landing armed personnel on board. Iran will respond soon.”
