As of April 18, 2026, the Trump administration is maintaining its blockade of Iranian ports with no timeline for reversal. According to Fox News Digital, CENTCOM confirmed USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) is patrolling the Arabian Sea as part of the operation, with 21 ships complying with U.S. direction since the blockade's start. Trump stated the blockade will remain until a peace deal is reached, according to NBC News.
Iran's response has been contradictory. The BBC reported that an Iranian official warned the Strait of Hormuz will 'not remain open' if the U.S. blockade continues. AP News reported that Iran then declared the strait closed again over the ongoing blockade. This oscillating messaging suggests domestic political pressure on Iran's government and uncertainty about actual waterway control.
The U.S. Treasury Department is taking active measures to cushion economic impact. CBS News reported that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the administration wants to 'ensure oil is available to those who need it' as negotiations accelerate. According to NBC News, Treasury extended a license allowing Russian oil sales at sea through May 16, a move the Trump administration argued has eased pressure on oil prices caused by the conflict.
Why this matters: A sustained blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly one-third of global seaborne oil passes—creates cascading risk across energy markets, shipping insurance, and downstream inflation. The divergence between Iran's claims and U.S. military confirmation suggests the strait's actual status remains contested, not resolved. Treasury's extension of oil licenses to May 16 implies the administration is planning for extended blockade duration, not imminent de-escalation.
Watch for: Real-time vessel traffic data through the strait, any announcement from Iran regarding the blockade's impact on its economy, and whether Treasury renews or modifies its Russian oil license beyond mid-May. These will be better indicators than rhetorical claims of 'openness' from either side.
