MS NOW reports 'complete disruption and chaos' in Strait of Hormuz as Iran hits ships

WASHINGTON, DC: MS NOW reported fresh turmoil in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, April 18, describing the vital shipping lane as gripped by “absolute chaos and complete disruption” after Iranian forces allegedly targeted multiple vessels.

The remarks came just a day after President Donald Trump declared the passage open again, raising new doubts about whether maritime traffic can move safely through one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.

MS NOW details 'complete disruption' in Hormuz

During the segment, anchor Alex Witt said there was “chaos unfolding in the Strait of Hormuz” before turning to contributor Inzamam Rashid, who was reporting from Dubai.

Rashid painted a dramatic picture of conditions in the region.

“There’s absolute chaos and complete disruption in the Strait of Hormuz today,” he said, adding that the turmoil had persisted throughout the day.

According to Rashid, the morning had initially brought signs of recovery, with ships once again attempting to transit the waterway after weeks of conflict-related disruption.

He said there were “probably the most number of ships that we’ve seen pass through the Strait of Hormuz ever since this war began seven weeks ago.”

That optimism, however, was short-lived. Rashid said Iran’s move to shut the strait again had “put those shutters right down again.”

He also described several security incidents on the water.

Rashid said there were three separate episodes involving vessels, including two attacks attributed to Iranian forces.

In one case, he said Iranian gunboats approached an Indian tanker and opened fire.

In another, he reported that an Indian container ship was targeted and sustained damage.

If confirmed, the incidents would mark a serious escalation involving commercial shipping and could sharply increase insurance costs, delay cargo movements and intensify military tensions across the Gulf region.

Tensions escalate hours after 'relief'

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategically important waterways in the world, serving as the narrow maritime gateway between the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea.

Roughly one-fifth of global oil supply typically moves through the route, making any disruption immediately relevant to fuel markets, inflation concerns and international trade.

Rashid noted that the latest turmoil could also complicate diplomacy.

He said the status of the Strait of Hormuz had become a major sticking point in conversations involving Vice President JD Vance during a visit to Pakistan.

On Friday, April 17, President Donald Trump announced that the strait was effectively open again and suggested the immediate crisis had passed.

But Saturday’s reports appeared to contradict that narrative, with renewed closures, ship diversions and alleged attacks undermining confidence in any lasting breakthrough.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reportedly declared on Saturday that the strait was closed because the United States had continued its “blockade.”