Distress call captures tanker under fire, Iran shuts Hormuz trapping thousands of sailors

Tensions have escalated in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran closed the waterway on April 18, trapping hundreds of commercial tankers and thousands of sailors. The closure followed reports of Iranian gunboats firing on ships, including the motor tanker Sanmar Herald, and a projectile striking a container vessel. The U.S. Navy has implemented a blockade impacting Iranian ports, while Iran's Revolutionary Guard has reaffirmed control over the Strait. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global energy markets, with roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passing through it. The situation has prompted international concern, with Hapag-Lloyd activating a crisis team and the Indian government expressing deep concern.

Oil prices surged on Sunday, April 19, 2026, due to a U.S.-Iran standoff in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies. U.S. crude rose 6.4% to $87.88 per barrel, while Brent crude increased 6.5% to $96.25. The price jump followed Iran's reversal of its decision to reopen the strait after President Trump maintained a U.S. Navy blockade of Iranian ports, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard fired on vessels. The conflict, part of an ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran, has triggered a global energy crisis, impacting countries reliant on Middle Eastern oil imports and causing rising fuel prices worldwide. The Energy Secretary predicts that lower gas prices for U.S. consumers may not return until the following year.