US Hormuz Blockade: 10,000+ Troops Deployed; Iran Blocks Tankers; Ceasefire Expires Apr 21

The US naval blockade of Iranian ports took formal effect April 13, 2026, deploying 10,000+ troops and 12+ warships. By April 16, 13-14 ships had been turned away without boarding. The S&P 500 paradoxically hit a record 7,022.95 on April 15 on peace deal optimism. Iran FM Araghchi briefly declared the Strait open on April 17 before Parliamentary Speaker Ghalibaf reversed it. On April 18, Iran reimposed 'strict control' and IRGC gunboats fired on an Indian-flagged tanker. Trump dispatched Kushner and Witkoff to Islamabad for new talks with ceasefire set to expire April 21.