A naval blockade imposed by the United States on Iran in April 2026 has triggered a major crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of global oil supplies transit. US strikes on non-compliant vessels, Iranian retaliation, and escalating military confrontation have disrupted shipping, killed seafarers, and sent shockwaves through global energy and food markets.
The US military imposed a naval blockade on Iran in mid-April 2026, according to Al Jazeera [7], following what CNN reports was the downing of a US helicopter by an Iranian drone [6]. US Central Command has since carried out precision strikes on at least seven vessels accused of breaching the blockade, Reuters and Al Jazeera report [3, 7]. The strikes have disabled ships accused of transporting Iranian oil or failing to comply with instructions.
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