Crisis Timeline
A comprehensive chronological record of every major event in the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis — from the first strikes on February 28 to today. Updated as events develop.
Crisis at a Glance
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Full Timeline
Talks intensify in Doha
Senior Iranian officials return from "intense" Doha negotiations; talks described as "generally positive." Trump expected to convene Cabinet at Camp David. Sticking points remain: nuclear terms, sanctions timing, and ceasefire violations. The US blockade has now turned away more than 100 vessels.
US conducts self-defence strikes on Iranian vessels
CENTCOM conducts strikes on Iranian missile launch sites and boats near the strait. Iran allows 25 vessels to transit under navy coordination simultaneously — a remarkable juxtaposition of military action and selective commercial access.
Trump: deal "largely negotiated"
Trump posts on Truth Social that "an agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization." Iran disputes the characterisation, with state media insisting the strait would remain under Iranian management. A senior Iranian source confirms Tehran has not agreed to hand over its enriched uranium stockpile.
US Senate advances war powers resolution
The Senate advances a war powers resolution challenging the legal basis of the Iran war. Four Republicans break with the White House: Paul, Collins, Murkowski, and Cassidy. The resolution is blocked in the House — the seventh time a war powers measure has been killed.
Read full analysis →Trump calls off planned Iran strike at Gulf allies' request
Trump reveals he was one hour from ordering a "very major attack" on Iran — and called it off at the request of Gulf allies who believe a deal is close. "There seems to be a very good chance that they can work something out," Trump says. "Hopefully, maybe forever."
Read full analysis →Bond markets sell off globally
In a single session: US 10-year Treasury yields climb above 4.5%; Japan's 30-year borrowing costs hit an all-time high; UK long-bond yields reach a 28-year high; S&P 500 falls more than 1%. The Hormuz crisis transitions from an energy story to a macro financial event.
Read full analysis →Trump-Xi Beijing summit — Hormuz on the agenda
Trump meets Xi in Beijing. The White House readout says both sides agreed the strait "must remain open." Xi offered to help broker peace and committed to not providing military equipment to Iran. China's Foreign Ministry readout makes no mention of Iran or Hormuz. Around 30 vessels transit the strait in the following 48 hours.
Read full analysis →Saudi Aramco CEO: normalisation not until 2027
Saudi Aramco's CEO warns that if the strait stays closed a few more weeks, market normalisation won't happen until 2027. Even if reopened today, "it would still take months for the market to rebalance."
Iran's counter-proposal rejected — "totally unacceptable"
Iran's counter-proposal demands US recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for war damages. The nuclear programme is not mentioned. Trump's response: "TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE." Iran: "We will never bow." Brent crude rises nearly 5% to above $105.
Read full analysis →Iran submits 14-point counter-proposal to Pakistan
Iran submits its formal response to the MOU via Pakistani mediators — a 14-point counter to the US 9-point plan. Trump reviews it. Pakistan's foreign ministry: "Our hope and expectation is for an agreement sooner rather than later."
Iran shoots down US MQ-9 Reaper drone
Iranian media releases video of debris from a drone it claims to have shot down over the strait. Independent analysts identify components consistent with a US MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance drone. CENTCOM does not confirm or deny.
MOU framework confirmed — 14-point deal circulated
A one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding is confirmed as circulating between Washington and Tehran via Pakistani mediators. Key provisions: 60-day ceasefire, strait reopens with no tolls, Iran clears mines, US lifts blockade, Iran gets sanctions waivers. Nuclear provisions remain the sharpest sticking point.
Read full analysis →Project Freedom paused; Araghchi flies to Beijing
Trump announces Project Freedom is paused "for a short period" citing progress toward a "complete and final agreement." Iran's FM Araghchi arrives in Beijing for talks with Wang Yi. CENTCOM confirms the blockade has turned away 52 vessels.
Iran strikes UAE — Fujairah Oil Industry Zone hit
Iran launches 15 missiles and 4 drones at the UAE. One drone strikes the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone — terminus of the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline, the UAE's primary Hormuz bypass route. Three Indian nationals wounded. A residential building in Oman is also struck.
Read full analysis →Project Freedom launches
Trump announces "Project Freedom" — a US military operation to guide commercial vessels through the strait, backed by guided-missile destroyers, 100+ aircraft, unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members. Two US-flagged vessels successfully transit. Iran fires on US ships — none struck. France publicly breaks with the operation.
Read full analysis →US launches Maritime Freedom Construct
The State Department sends a cable to every US embassy worldwide recruiting allies for a new US-led maritime coalition called the "Maritime Freedom Construct" — reversing Trump's March position that the US needed no help. The MFC is authorised by Secretary Rubio.
Read full analysis →Araghchi flies to Moscow; Putin vows support
Iran's FM Araghchi meets Putin at the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library. Putin praises Iran for "bravely fighting for sovereignty" and vows to do "everything possible" for Middle East peace. Russia floats proposal to take custody of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile.
Read full analysis →Starmer calls Trump; 12+ nations formally committed
UK PM Starmer calls Trump to report that more than 12 countries have formally volunteered to join the Northwood coalition's freedom-of-navigation mission. 38 nations sign the Northwood joint statement.
Iran launches second mining campaign
The IRGC deploys a second round of mines in the strait. Trump orders the Navy to "shoot and kill" any Iranian boats caught laying mines "with no hesitation." USS Chief and USS Pioneer, both 1990s-era wooden-hulled vessels, arrive for mine-clearing operations.
Read full analysis →Trump extends ceasefire indefinitely
Trump announces an indefinite extension of the ceasefire at Pakistan's request, giving Iran time to "come up with a unified proposal." The U.S. naval blockade continues regardless.
Northwood conference: 30+ nations plan Hormuz mission
Military planners from more than 30 nations gather at the UK's Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood. The conference uses UK national command structure rather than NATO to allow non-NATO partners to participate. Italy commits four vessels; Ukraine's minehunters discussed.
Read full analysis →US seizes Iranian cargo ship M/V Touska
The US Navy intercepts and boards the M/V Touska — a 900-foot sanctioned Iranian cargo ship — in the Gulf of Oman after it refused to stop. Iran condemns the seizure as "armed piracy."
IRGC fires on ships — ceasefire collapses again
Within 24 hours of the "opening," IRGC gunboats fire on vessels attempting to transit, including Indian, French, and UK-flagged ships. The strait effectively closes again. India files a formal complaint with Tehran.
Read full analysis →Iran declares strait "fully open" — crude falls 10%
Iran's FM Araghchi posts on X that the Strait of Hormuz is "fully open and ready for full passage." Brent crude tumbles more than 10%. Trump posts "Thank you!" — but the ceasefire interpretations remain incompatible.
Read full analysis →Paris summit: 51 nations, UK-France coalition announced
A Paris summit chaired by Starmer and Macron brings together 51 nations. The UK and France announce they will co-lead a defensive multinational mission to reopen the strait once peace conditions allow. The US does not attend.
Read full analysis →Iran warns strait reopening "impossible"
Iran's Parliamentary Speaker Ghalibaf warns that "reopening the Strait of Hormuz is impossible" as long as the U.S. naval blockade continues. The warning goes largely unheeded in Western markets.
US begins naval blockade of Iranian ports
Washington begins enforcing a naval blockade of Iranian ports — a move Iran immediately characterises as a ceasefire violation. The structural gap in ceasefire interpretation emerges: Iran sees the blockade as a violation; the US sees it as a separate economic measure.
Read full analysis →US mine-clearing operations begin
USS Frank E. Petersen and USS Michael Murphy transit the strait to "set conditions" for mine clearance operations, according to CENTCOM.
First ceasefire agreed
Trump announces a two-week ceasefire. Iran's FM Araghchi agrees "if attacks against Iran are halted." Iran's Supreme National Security Council claims a historic victory, asserting the US accepted Tehran's 10-point plan. Brent crude falls 15.9% to $92.30 a barrel.
Trump extends deadline; threatens infrastructure
Trump extends the Iran deadline to April 6, holding off on strikes on energy plants. Iran again refuses to negotiate under pressure. War risk insurance premiums reach 16x pre-crisis levels.
US strikes escalate; Iran fires on Israel
Heavy strikes reported in Tehran and other Iranian cities. Iran launches missile barrages at Israel. Sirens sound across Tel Aviv. Israel deploys additional troops into southern Lebanon.
Iran announces selective access list
Iran announces that ships owned by five nations — China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan — are granted permission to transit the strait. Malaysian and Thai vessels are later added following diplomatic talks.
Trump sets 10-day ultimatum for Iran
Trump gives Iran 10 days to either "make a deal" or open the Strait of Hormuz, warning of strikes on power plants and bridges. Iran rejects the ultimatum, stating it will not negotiate under pressure.
Iran sends Trump a "significant present"
Trump announces in the Oval Office that Iran has sent "a very significant gift" related to the Strait of Hormuz — signalling early back-channel contact between the two sides.
Trump demands allied warships — all decline
Trump publicly calls on NATO, China, Japan, and South Korea to send military vessels to help secure the strait. Every ally declines. German Defence Minister Pistorius: "This is not our war."
Supply disruption exceeds 10 million barrels per day
The IEA characterises the closure as the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market — surpassing the 1973 OPEC embargo. Tanker spot rates triple overnight.
Gulf oil production collapses
Oil production across Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE falls by a reported 6.7 million barrels per day as tankers cannot transit the strait. Shipping operators begin rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope.
Oil price shock: Brent surges past $100
Brent crude climbs from $75 to above $100 a barrel within days of the closure. Global shipping insurance premiums begin rising sharply. GCC states face immediate disruption to export revenues.
Operation Epic Fury begins
The United States and Israel launch coordinated air and missile strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, IRGC bases, and missile infrastructure. Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz closed to all commercial traffic not granted explicit Iranian permission.