Political conflicts in the Middle East have reached a fever pitch today, April 18, 2026when the Iranian military officially announced the closure of Hormuz River. The move comes less than 24 hours after the waterway was briefly declared “open” during a ceasefire. An Iranian military command said the channel had “returned to its previous position” due to the United States’ refusal to remove naval blockades at Iranian ports.
Impact on Global Energy and Crypto Markets
The sudden growth spurt led to economic movements around the world. WTI Crude Oil prices, which softened on the brief reopening, quickly pushed back to $83/barrel a symbol. At the same time, dangerous ideas hit hard in the digital space; Bitcoin (BTC)which was testing high levels of resistance, saw a sharp correction until $76,000.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz closed again?
According to a report that was published through social media with the support of the Fars government, the Iranian military accused the US of “terror and treason” for maintaining its borders despite a temporary agreement. The military order emphasized that until the US ensures that ships to and from Iran have full freedom, the route will remain under the “command and control” of the Iranian military.
This change has caused the markets to lose hope. Yesterday, President Trump said it again Social Truth that Iran agreed to never again use the strait as a weapon. The current “old government” means the complete shutdown of the military which is the most important artery in the world.
Bitcoin and Crypto Under Pressure
The reaction of the crypto market has been swift and decisive. Before this happened story after the breakout, Bitcoin was struggling to stay strong at its counter-intuitive level.
- Bitcoin (BTC): It has fallen to $76,000, erasing recent gains.
- Altcoins: Many major indices followed suit, as traders fled to “safe haven” assets like gold.
- Recommendations: Analysts warn that if the conflict escalates, BTC may test support levels near $71,000.
