WorldApril 19, 2026

Ships Attacked as Iran Reimposes Control of the Strait of Hormuz

Key Vocabulary

strait/streɪt/
a narrow channel of water between two land areas
"The ship waited at the strait."
blockade/bləˈkeɪd/
an action to stop ships or goods from entering or leaving a place
"The country's ports were under a blockade."
ship/ʃɪp/
a large boat that carries goods or people on the sea
"A ship carried the containers."

Listening

Ships Attacked as Iran Reimposes Control of the Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Revolutionary Guard navy declared the Strait of Hormuz closed until the U.S. blockade is lifted. The strait is a narrow sea channel between Iran and Oman. Many ships stopped or turned back when they heard radio messages that they could not pass.

Two ships reported being hit as they tried to pass the strait. One report said a container ship was struck by an unknown projectile near Oman. People on those ships were not reported hurt. Many countries watch the waterway because oil and goods move through it and it is a busy route for world trade.

98 words

Quiz

1. Where did the events happen?
2. Who declared the strait closed?
3. How many ships reported being hit?

Reading Practice

Read the article from the Listening section aloud. Your AI teacher will give you pronunciation feedback.

Discussion

1

Do you worry when you hear about problems in a nearby sea or port? Why?

2

Have you ever had travel plans changed by a safety alert? What happened?

3

What do you think about routes that carry oil and goods near your country?

This content is for English learning purposes and does not guarantee factual accuracy.