Iran Blocks Strait of Hormuz After Detaining Ships; Oil Surges Above $100 as Ceasefire Tensions Escalate

Gate News message, April 23 — Iran has brought Strait of Hormuz traffic close to a standstill after firing on three ships and seizing control of two of them on Wednesday, escalating tensions around a critical global energy route. The seizures came one day after Trump extended the ceasefire while maintaining a U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Nearly 20% of global traded oil normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz, but the current standoff has choked off almost all exports through the waterway. Brent crude has climbed above $100 per barrel multiple times, up approximately 35% from prewar levels. The European Union’s energy commissioner warned that Europe is losing around $600 million daily due to the crisis, with impacts extending to food and basic goods prices.

Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said it is “not possible” for the strait to reopen due to what he called “blatant violations of the ceasefire” by the U.S. and Israel, citing the American naval blockade and Israeli actions. President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran still welcomes dialogue but accused the Trump administration of undermining peace talks, stating “breach of commitments, blockade and threats are main obstacles to genuine negotiations.”

The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the blockade as “massively effective,” stating it inflicts “maximum leverage and economic pressure” on Iran. She said the seizure of the two international vessels did not violate the ceasefire because they were not U.S. or Israeli ships. Trump also demanded Iran hand over its enriched uranium and told Fox News there is “no time pressure” on the ceasefire, saying the blockade “scares” Iran’s leaders more than airstrikes.