The Latest: Standoff escalates after Iran closes Strait of Hormuz over US blockade
- Posted on April 19, 2026
- By The Toronto Star
- 0 Views
- 1 min read
In brief
Iran escalates maritime tensions by maintaining its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in response to ongoing US sanctions. The strategic waterway, crucial for global oil trade, remains closed as Tehran refuses to resume passage until Washington lifts its economic embargo. This geopolitical standoff threatens international shipping routes and raises concerns about energy market stability and regional security dynamics in the Persian Gulf.
The Latest: Standoff escalates after Iran closes Strait of Hormuz over US blockade
Iran reversed its decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the U.S. blockade of Iranian
