Strait of Hormuz Monitor
Strait of Hormuz Crisis Timeline
A dated timeline of the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis — military strikes, closures, diplomacy and oil-market moves — from the late-February onset through today.
This chronological record tracks 19 dated events in the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis, from the late-February onset (Feb 28, 2026) through the most recent development on Jun 2, 2026. The timeline spans 6 military, 5 maritime, 5 diplomatic developments — military strikes and tanker seizures, naval-blockade and diplomatic moves, oil-market shocks, and maritime disruptions such as shadow-fleet AIS-darkening. The most recent milestones are listed below; the full, severity-coded and exportable timeline is shown underneath.
Latest (Jun 2, 2026): ~94 days of paralysis; ~1,550 vessels stranded. Roughly three months into the closure, only a handful of ships transit daily (vs ~100 normal). About 1,550 commercial vessels (~22,500 mariners) are stranded in and around the Gulf, including six trapped Maersk ships. A 60-day reopening deal is reportedly close but not finalized.
- Maritime~94 days of paralysis; ~1,550 vessels stranded
Roughly three months into the closure, only a handful of ships transit daily (vs ~100 normal). About 1,550 commercial vessels (~22,500 mariners) are stranded in and around the Gulf, including six trapped Maersk ships. A 60-day reopening deal is reportedly close but not finalized. CNN Business
- DiplomaticUS ends naval blockade of Iran; strait still closed
Following Iran–US negotiations, the US announces the end of its naval blockade of Iranian ports. The Strait of Hormuz itself remains closed to commercial shipping. Wikipedia: 2026 US naval blockade of Iran
- MaritimeShadow-fleet pattern intensifies; ghost-ship rate climbs
AIS-darkening events near the strait up sharply. Iran-flagged + flag-of-convenience vessels (Comoros, Palau, Barbados) dominate observed transits. Western-flagged tankers virtually absent. — source: Internal: ghost_vessel_event aggregation
- DiplomaticReopening framework 'largely negotiated' — Iran disputes
President Trump says a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz has 'been largely negotiated.' Iranian state agencies (Fars/Tasnim) dispute that any agreement is finalized; the strait stays closed pending a definitive deal. CNN
- DiplomaticTurkey reopens Iraq-Turkey pipeline at full capacity
Kirkuk-Ceyhan flow restored to ~1.6 Mbpd, partially offsetting Hormuz shortfall. Iraqi crude exports via Ceyhan double month-over-month. — source: Reuters / Bloomberg
- MilitaryUS forces disable two Iranian oil tankers
While enforcing the blockade, US forces fire on and disable two Iranian oil tankers after exchanging fire with Iranian forces in the strait. NPR
- MilitaryUS escorted-convoy push; Fujairah oil facility attacked
The US attempts to force the strait open via escorted convoys. The UAE comes under drone/missile attack, including a fire at a Fujairah oil facility — a key alternative export hub on the Gulf of Oman side of the strait. NPR
- MilitaryReported missile incidents near Bandar Abbas
Multiple OSINT reports of small-craft missile launches near Iranian naval base; targets unclear. No commercial vessel hits confirmed. — source: OSINT (CNN, Reuters)
- EnergyUS announces SPR drawdown — 30M barrel release
Strategic Petroleum Reserve sale authorised by DOE. 1M bpd for 30 days from Bryan Mound + Big Hill sites. Brent retraces to $108. — source: DOE
- MaritimeFirst confirmed sanctioned-vessel transit via 'safe passage' protocol
Tracking shows multiple OFAC-listed tankers (Iranian / shadow-fleet) continuing east-bound transits while Western-flagged vessels remain absent. Insurance war-risk premium hits 3-4x baseline. — source: AIS aggregation + sanctions cross-reference
- MilitaryUS begins naval blockade of Iranian ports
The US imposes a naval blockade of Iranian ports as a counter-measure — distinct from Iran's closure of the strait itself. The blockade runs until 2026-05-29. Wikipedia: 2026 US naval blockade of Iran
- DiplomaticTwo-week Iran–US–Israel ceasefire (Pakistan-brokered)
A roughly two-week ceasefire between Iran, the US and Israel begins, brokered by Pakistan. Fighting pauses but the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to commercial traffic and carriers keep their suspensions in place. UK House of Commons Library