Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz; Trump, UAE Condemn 'Blackmail'; India Protests Attack on Vessels
Fast facts
- Category: Middle East
- Language: EN
- Published: 2026-04-19 03:05 UTC
- Sources: Middle East Eye, Deutsche Welle
Iran's IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz 'fully closed,' including a previously open corridor, until the US lifts what Tehran calls a blockade on Iranian ports. Trump warned Iran cannot 'blackmail' the US over the strait, while the UAE's minister condemned the closure as 'economic terrorism' and demanded unconditional reopening. India summoned Iran's envoy after two India-flagged vessels were fired upon while attempting to cross the waterway. Israel's UN ambassador also pressed French, Chinese, and Pakistani diplomats on whether payments had influenced their stances on the closure, and the Los Angeles port chief told CNN that ship fuel costs have doubled as a result of the conflict.