Reports from several Iranian news outlets indicate that the Iranian military has reasserted control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Persian News Agency, Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), and the national broadcaster IRIB, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that the military has taken control of the strait area, returning it to what they described as its 'previous state.'
The reports, which emerged on April 19, 2026, stated that despite this reassertion of control, some cargo ships were still able to pass through the narrow waterway.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also reportedly issued a statement, which, according to the news agencies, included accusations directed at the United States concerning its activities 'at sea.' The specific details and full context of these accusations were not immediately available in the initial reports.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint, connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. It is one of the world's most important strategic waterways, through which a significant portion of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass daily. Iran has historically maintained a strong military presence in the region and has, on various occasions, asserted its control over the strait, often leading to increased international scrutiny and geopolitical tensions.
Source: Telegram / tikvahethiopia