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United States Fifth Fleet

United States Fifth Fleet

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Oil tankers halt Strait of Hormuz transit after US-Israel strikes on Iran

Force in Play

Blockade now at 23 vessels turned back; $435M/day economic pressure on Iran maintained; US delegation confirmed heading to Islamabad as ceasefire deadline approaches

President Trump on April 19 threatened to destroy Iran's bridges and power plants — warning the 'whole country is going to get blown up' if Tehran fails to sign a deal — while simultaneously confirming a US delegation was heading to Islamabad for a second round of negotiations before the April 21 ceasefire expiry. Trump also disclosed he had asked Chinese President Xi Jinping not to supply weapons to Iran. The escalating rhetoric came as Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) formally closed the Strait of Hormuz again on April 18–19, citing the continued US naval blockade of Iranian ports, less than 48 hours after Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had declared the waterway 'completely open.' The IRGC fired on at least two India-flagged vessels — the Sanmar Herald and Jag Arnav — whose crews cited the Foreign Ministry's clearance only to be ordered away under fire. India summoned Iran's ambassador in protest. The US blockade has now turned back 23 ships and is estimated to be costing Iran roughly $435 million per day.

Updated Apr 19