Iran Briefly Opens Strait of Hormuz, 8 Oil and Gas Tankers Pass Through
Iran briefly opened the Strait of Hormuz, allowing 8 oil and gas vessels to pass before the IRGC announced a renewed closure until the US unblocks Iranian ports.
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- 📰 Published: April 19, 2026 at 06:47
- 🔍 Collected: April 19, 2026 at 11:00 (4h 13m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 11:09 (9 min after Collected)
AFP reports that according to the shipping tracking agency Kpler, after Iran announced the opening of the Strait of Hormuz yesterday afternoon, vessels including 1 crude oil tanker, 4 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers, 2 oil and chemical tankers, and 1 vessel classified as a "petroleum product" carrier passed through the strait earlier today.
Data from the vessel tracking website MarineTraffic indicated that several other crude oil tankers had approached the Strait of Hormuz but turned around near Iran's Larak Island. As the Iranian military blocks the strait amid the war, the island has become a checkpoint for ships attempting to leave the Persian Gulf.
However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced later today that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed starting tonight until the US unblocks Iranian ports, and any violating vessels approaching the strait will be targeted for attack. (Translator: Hong Pei-ying) 1150419
Data from the vessel tracking website MarineTraffic indicated that several other crude oil tankers had approached the Strait of Hormuz but turned around near Iran's Larak Island. As the Iranian military blocks the strait amid the war, the island has become a checkpoint for ships attempting to leave the Persian Gulf.
However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced later today that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed starting tonight until the US unblocks Iranian ports, and any violating vessels approaching the strait will be targeted for attack. (Translator: Hong Pei-ying) 1150419