April 19 News: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy issued a statement on the night of April 18, announcing that the Strait of Hormuz is closed effective immediately. This decision follows alleged U.S. violations of the ceasefire agreement and the failure to lift blockades on Iranian vessels and ports. The strait will remain closed until the U.S. blockade is removed.

​Iran warned that all ships in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman must not leave their anchorages. Any attempt to approach the Strait of Hormuz will be viewed as cooperation with the enemy, and violating vessels will become targets of attack. The statement also urged ship owners to seek information only through official IRGC channels, claiming that statements from the U.S. President regarding the region lack any credibility. (CCTV International News)
​U.S. Media: Trump Convenes Situation Room Meeting
​According to Axios, two U.S. officials revealed that President Trump held a meeting in the White House Situation Room on Saturday morning to discuss the renewed crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and negotiations with Iran.
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​The situation with Iran is at a critical moment, as the ceasefire is expected to expire in three days, and a final date for the next round of meetings between U.S. and Iranian negotiators has not been set. A senior U.S. official stated that if no breakthrough occurs soon, war could restart within days.
​Attendees of the Situation Room meeting included Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Rubio, Secretary of Defense Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Besent, White House Chief of Staff Wiles, Special Envoy Witkoff, CIA Director Ratcliffe, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kane. Sources familiar
with the details noted that the crisis resurfaced after both sides failed to reach a consensus during talks.

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