US-Iran Retaliatory Blockades Paralyze Strait of Hormuz, Only 4 Ships Pass
Due to retaliatory blockades by the United States and Iran, navigation in the Strait of Hormuz has stagnated again, with only four vessels managing to pass. Iran declared the strategic waterway reopened, but the US has not taken reciprocal measures to open passage for ships to and from Iranian ports.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 10:54
- 🔍 Collected: April 21, 2026 at 11:01 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 22:24 (179h 22m after Collected)
London (Central News Agency, April 20, comprehensive foreign report) — Tracking data show that as Iran and the United States each imposed blockades, traffic in the Strait of Hormuz again came to a standstill today, while Iranian vessels continued to probe US blockade prohibitions.
Agence France-Presse reported that Iran announced on April 17 that it would reopen this strategic waterway, but the United States did not take reciprocal open measures for ships traveling to and from Iranian ports.
Before Iran closed the waterway again on April 18, dozens of merchant ships had passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Subsequently, Iran warned that any approaching vessels would be considered targets.
Shipping tracking agency Kpler stated that since April 19, only four ships have passed through the strait in both directions.
According to the ship tracking website MarineTraffic, one of them was the Nova Crest oil tanker, flying the Iranian flag and subject to US sanctions. This oil tanker sailed out of the Persian Gulf today at 4:00 GMT and continued to cross the Gulf of Oman.
However, the US usually implements blockade measures only when ships reach the border between Iran and Pakistan.
Iran today allowed the sanctioned natural gas carrier Axon I to enter the Persian Gulf; its destination is the United Arab Emirates, so it is not subject to US blockade measures.
The US military stated today that since the start of the blockade operation, it has instructed 27 ships to turn back or return to Iranian ports. (Compiler: Chen Yuting) 1150421
Agence France-Presse reported that Iran announced on April 17 that it would reopen this strategic waterway, but the United States did not take reciprocal open measures for ships traveling to and from Iranian ports.
Before Iran closed the waterway again on April 18, dozens of merchant ships had passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Subsequently, Iran warned that any approaching vessels would be considered targets.
Shipping tracking agency Kpler stated that since April 19, only four ships have passed through the strait in both directions.
According to the ship tracking website MarineTraffic, one of them was the Nova Crest oil tanker, flying the Iranian flag and subject to US sanctions. This oil tanker sailed out of the Persian Gulf today at 4:00 GMT and continued to cross the Gulf of Oman.
However, the US usually implements blockade measures only when ships reach the border between Iran and Pakistan.
Iran today allowed the sanctioned natural gas carrier Axon I to enter the Persian Gulf; its destination is the United Arab Emirates, so it is not subject to US blockade measures.
The US military stated today that since the start of the blockade operation, it has instructed 27 ships to turn back or return to Iranian ports. (Compiler: Chen Yuting) 1150421