US reimposes blockade and steps up strikes as Iran threatens to halt Mideast energy exports

On 15 July 2026, the United States reimposed its blockade on Iran's ports, after Tehran's attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Associated Press. Trump also threatened strikes on energy targets. He reversed a planned 20% toll for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Wall Street Journal and Asahi Shimbun wrote.

Iran threatened to halt all Middle East energy exports in response to the blockade. The US expanded sanctions targeting Iran's oil and cryptocurrency sectors, and issued new non-proliferation sanctions on individuals and entities in Iran and Russia. Gulf allies rushed to build new pipelines and a port to bypass Iran's grip on Hormuz.