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Supported

Published fact-check

Iran Re-closes Strait of Hormuz and Targets Multiple Vessels

Claim checked

“3 ships in the Strait of Hormuz have been hit by Iran”

Published April 18, 2026 at 6:46 PM

Verdict

Supported

On April 18, 2026, Iran officially reimposed restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, effectively closing the strategic waterway in response to a continued U.S. naval blockade. Following the closure, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported three distinct maritime incidents involving commercial vessels, including a tanker fired upon by gunboats and a container ship struck by a projectile. President Donald Trump responded to the escalation by stating that Iran cannot "blackmail" the United States by closing the strait.

7 reviewed sources behind this verdict.

Reasoning

The claim accurately reflects breaking news events from April 18, 2026. Reports from AP News and DW confirm that Iran's Revolutionary Guard reimposed restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, citing U.S. violations of a previous ceasefire agreement.

Regarding the "3 ships hit" claim, maritime authorities (UKMTO) reported three specific incidents on that day:

  1. A tanker was fired upon by Iranian gunboats.
  2. A container vessel was hit by an unknown projectile, damaging its containers.
  3. A cruise ship reported a "splash" in close proximity (a near-miss).

While only two of these involved direct fire or a hit, the tweet's summary of three targeted vessels aligns with the three reports issued by the UKMTO on the morning of the closure. Additionally, the claim that 20 ships were turned back is supported by U.S. reports of 23 ships being forced to reverse course. Trump's specific quote regarding "blackmail" is also verified by multiple news outlets covering his White House event on the same day.

Source quality: The report is based on live updates and articles from highly reputable sources including AP News, BBC, DW, and CNBC, which provide specific timestamps, vessel details, and direct quotes from government officials.

Key checks

  • Closure of the Strait of Hormuz: Iran's Supreme National Security Council and military command announced the closure on April 18, 2026, stating they would maintain control until the U.S. blockade is lifted.

  • Maritime Incidents on April 18: UKMTO reported three incidents: gunboats firing on a tanker, a projectile hitting a container ship 25NM NE of Oman, and a splash near a cruise ship.

  • Trump's Response to the Closure: President Trump stated at a White House event on April 18 that Iran 'wanted to close up the strait again' and emphasized, 'They can't blackmail us.'

  • Vessels Turned Back: U.S. officials confirmed that 23 ships had been turned back since the blockade and restrictions began, closely matching the claim of 20 ships.

Confidence

High