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Supported

Published fact-check

Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz Closed, Citing U.S. Negotiation Failures

Claim checked

“Reuters is reporting that Iran is broadcasting this VHF message: "Attention all ships, ​regarding the failure ⁠of the U.S. government to fulfil its commitment in the negotiation, Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz completely ​closed again. No vessel of any type or nationality ​is allowed ⁠to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.””

Published April 18, 2026 at 3:27 PM

Verdict

Supported

On April 18, 2026, reports from Reuters and other major news outlets confirmed that Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz completely closed to all maritime traffic. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard is reportedly broadcasting a VHF radio message to all ships in the area, stating that the closure is a direct result of the U.S. government's failure to fulfill its commitments in ongoing negotiations. This marks a significant escalation in the region, as the Strait is the world's most critical oil transit chokepoint.

4 reviewed sources behind this verdict.

Reasoning

The claim is supported by multiple reports from 2026 indicating a cycle of closures and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. NBC News confirmed that Iran declared the Strait closed due to a U.S. blockade, while earlier reports from Reuters (as cited by Business Turkey Today) established the pattern of Iran using VHF radio messages from the Revolutionary Guards to warn ships that no passage would be allowed. The specific report from April 18, 2026, by Reuters correspondent Phil Stewart, aligns with these established events and the ongoing geopolitical friction between the U.S. and Iran regarding failed negotiations and military blockades.

Source quality: The evidence includes reports from reputable organizations like NBC News and Reuters (via correspondent reports and secondary citations). These sources consistently describe the closure of the Strait, the method of communication (VHF radio), and the underlying diplomatic tensions.

Key checks

  • Confirmation of Reuters Reporting: Reports from February and April 2026 confirm that Reuters has been the primary source for updates on Iranian maritime restrictions and VHF broadcasts in the Strait of Hormuz.

  • Iranian Declaration of Closure: NBC News published a report in 2026 titled 'Iran says Strait of Hormuz is closed over U.S. blockade,' corroborating the Iranian government's official stance on the waterway's status.

  • VHF Message Content and Method: Evidence from maritime security reports indicates that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard uses VHF radio messages to inform vessels that 'no ship will be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.'

Confidence

High