Iran Conflict Timeline
Oil market impact tracker · Day 41 · 40 events
Day 41
Thursday, April 9, 2026Iran Strikes Saudi Hormuz Bypass Pipeline
Iran struck a pipeline in Saudi Arabia used to bypass the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, escalating beyond the strait itself. Targets alternative export routes, signaling Iran will not allow oil to flow even through bypass infrastructure. Ceasefire increasingly fragile.
Iran Confirms Sea Mines in Strait of Hormuz
Iranian media published IRGC chart showing sea mines laid in Strait of Hormuz with 'danger zone' marked along normal shipping route. 21 confirmed attacks on merchant ships. Physical mining makes Hormuz reopening far more complex even if ceasefire holds.
Day 40
Wednesday, April 8, 2026Iran Drops Restraint on Targeting Oil Infra
Iran says its restraint in targeting oil infrastructure in the region no longer applies after US struck Kharg Island. Threatens to hit Saudi, UAE, Kuwait oil facilities without restriction. Major escalation risk for regional energy supply.
Iran Strikes Israel Largest Power Plant
Iran retaliates by striking Israel largest power plant, causing blackout in Tel Aviv. Tit-for-tat escalation after Trump Power Plant Day threats against Iran. Iran had warned its restraint in targeting regional infrastructure no longer applies.
Iran Re-Closes Hormuz Over Lebanon Strikes
Iran halted Hormuz tanker traffic again after Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran warns ships will 'be destroyed' without permission. Only 2 tankers crossed since ceasefire. $2M transit fee imposed. Ceasefire in jeopardy hours after announcement.
Day 39
Tuesday, April 7, 2026Iran Rejects 45-Day Ceasefire Proposal, Reviews Peace Plan
Iran rejects temporary ceasefire from Egyptian/Pakistani/Turkish mediators, saying it would allow adversaries to regroup. Demands end to war, not a pause. Separately says it has formulated response to broader peace proposal.
Day 37
Sunday, April 5, 2026Iran Opens Hormuz for Essential Goods Vessels
Iran announces it will grant permission for vessels carrying essential goods to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, per state-run Tasnim. Unclear which items qualify or if blockade on hostile nation vessels continues. First general easing since near-total closure.
Iran FM Warns of Radioactive Fallout from Bushehr Strikes
Iran Foreign Minister Araghchi warns that continued strikes near Bushehr nuclear plant could cause radioactive fallout that would end life in the Gulf region. IAEA confirms projectile hit near plant, 1 killed.
Day 36
Saturday, April 4, 2026US-Israel Hits Iran Petrochemical Plants
US-Israeli strikes hit multiple petrochemical plants in Iran Khuzestan region. Bandar Imam complex, Fajr 1&2, and other nearby facilities struck and sustained damage.
Iran Exempts Iraq Oil Shipments from Hormuz Blockade
Iran military announces major oil producer Iraq is exempt from shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz. Potentially significant for global crude supplies as Iraq exports ~3.3 million bpd.
Day 35
Friday, April 3, 2026Iran Fires on Israel & Gulf Amid Trump Claims
Iran fires more missiles at Israel and Gulf Arab states, demonstrating continued strike capability despite Trump claiming Iran threat nearly eliminated. Day 34 of conflict continues as war enters sixth week.
Day 33
Wednesday, April 1, 2026Trump Iran Operations Target End Date
President Trump stated Iran military operations expected to last 4-5 weeks from late February. Target end date approximately late March to early April. Ruled out negotiations absent Iran unconditional surrender. Operations timeline critical for Hormuz reopening and Gulf production restart.
Iran Hits Kuwait Airport & Tanker Off Qatar
Iran drone hit fuel tank at Kuwait International Airport sparking large fire. Oil tanker contracted by QatarEnergy hit off Qatar coast, 21 crew evacuated. Strikes batter Tehran including former US Embassy compound. Day 33 of conflict.
Day 31
Monday, March 30, 2026Iran Accuses US of Preparing Ground Invasion
Iran accuses the United States of preparing a ground invasion as the war enters its second month. Iran parliament speaker says forces are waiting for a US ground operation. All major parties doubling down on positions.
Day 30
Sunday, March 29, 2026Iran Allows 20 Pakistani Ships Through Hormuz
Iran agrees to allow 20 ships under Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, with two ships crossing daily. Comes as Pakistan mediates indirect US-Iran talks and hosts regional discussions on ending the conflict.
Day 28
Friday, March 27, 2026Iran Implements Hormuz Transit Toll System
Iran forces tankers through narrow IRGC-controlled passage in Strait of Hormuz, charging millions for transit. Ships from China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan allowed passage. Dubbed the Tehran Toll Booth by shipping experts. Iran preparing legislation to formalize tolls.
Day 27
Thursday, March 26, 2026Iran Fires 6 Missile Salvos at Israel - Day 27
IRGC fired precision-guided Emad, Qiam, Khorramshahr-4, and Qadr missiles at over 70 targets across Israel including Haifa, Dimona, and Tel Aviv. Cluster munitions used. Multiple injuries reported.
Iran Rejects Direct US Talks, Oil Rises 4%
Iranian FM Araghchi says mediator exchanges are not negotiations. Oil rises 3-4% as deescalation hopes fade. Brent above $106, WTI near $94. Trump insists Iran wants a deal despite Tehran denials.
Day 26
Wednesday, March 25, 2026Iran Opens Hormuz to Non-Hostile Vessels
Iran announces that non-hostile ships may transit the Strait of Hormuz with safe passage, provided they do not participate in or support aggression against Iran and comply with Iranian safety regulations. Ships must coordinate with Iranian authorities. Represents partial easing of the near-total blockade.
Iran Rejects US 15-Point Plan, Issues 5 Counter-Conditions
Iran formally rejects US 15-point ceasefire proposal and issues its own 5 conditions for ending the war: (1) end all acts of aggression, (2) guarantee war will not recur, (3) pay war reparations, (4) end war across all fronts including resistance groups, (5) Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran states no negotiations will occur before conditions are met.
Day 25
Tuesday, March 24, 2026Iran Continues Missile Strikes on Israel - Day 25
Iran fires multiple missile salvos at Israel on day 25 of the war, hitting central Tel Aviv with an unintercepted missile carrying 220 lb warhead. Damage to residential neighborhood. Conflicting signals as Trump claims productive talks while Iran dismisses negotiations as fake news aimed at manipulating markets.
Iran Charging Ships Up to $2M for Hormuz Passage
Iran begins charging transit fees on commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, with payments up to $2 million per voyage on an ad-hoc basis. Effectively creates an informal toll on the world most important energy chokepoint.
Iran Appoints Zolghadr as New SNSC Secretary
Iran names former IRGC commander Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr (72) as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, replacing Ali Larijani who was killed in a US-Israeli strike on March 17. Signals hardline military continuity in Iran war strategy.
Day 23
Sunday, March 22, 2026Iran: Hormuz Will Be Fully Closed If Hit
Iran's Revolutionary Guards warn Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed if US carries out Trump's threat to strike power plants. Warns of hits on energy and water sites.
Iran Fires 8th Missile Salvo at Israel
Iran fires eighth missile salvo in single day at Israel as Hezbollah rockets and drones pound northern Israel. Sustained barrage across multiple Israeli cities.
Day 22
Saturday, March 21, 2026Iran Missiles Hit Arad & Dimona, Israel
Iranian ballistic missiles break through Israeli defenses, striking Arad and Dimona near Israel's nuclear research center. Over 180 wounded. Netanyahu vows continued strikes.
Iran Fires Missiles at Diego Garcia Base
Iran launches two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at US-UK Diego Garcia base 4,000km away. Both miss but reveal Iran's missiles can reach Western Europe.
Iran Drones Strike Kuwait Airport
Iranian drones hit Kuwait International Airport, damaging radar system. Residential building also struck, 2 injured. Six power lines knocked out.
Day 21
Friday, March 20, 2026US Lifts Sanctions on 140M Bbl Iranian Oil
Treasury formally issues 30-day sanctions waiver allowing sale of 140M barrels of Iranian crude on tankers at sea. Waiver runs until April 19, 2026.
Day 20
Thursday, March 19, 2026Iran Strikes Qatar Ras Laffan LNG Complex
Iran retaliates for South Pars strike by hitting world's largest LNG export facility at Ras Laffan, Qatar. Damages 17% of Qatar's LNG export capacity.
Day 19
Wednesday, March 18, 2026Iran Moves Own Oil Through Hormuz, Blocks Others
Bloomberg reports Iran continues exporting its own crude through the Strait of Hormuz at pre-war rates while selectively blocking other nations' tankers. Strait not fully closed but controlled.
Day 13
Thursday, March 12, 2026Iran New Supreme Leader Vows Hormuz Blockade Continues
Mojtaba Khamenei declares Strait of Hormuz will remain closed; warns of $200 oil.
Iran President Sets Ceasefire Terms
Iranian President Pezeshkian laid out conditions to end the war: recognition of Iran legitimate rights, reparations, and guarantees against future aggression. Key event for Strait of Hormuz reopening timeline and oil supply normalization.
Day 9
Sunday, March 8, 2026Mojtaba Khamenei Named Iran Supreme Leader
Assembly of Experts names Mojtaba Khamenei, 56-year-old son of killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as Iran new supreme leader amid ongoing US-Israel war.
Day 2
Sunday, March 1, 2026Iran Retaliatory Strikes on Israel & Gulf States
Iran launches missiles and drones at Israel and US military bases across Gulf states in retaliation for Operation Epic Fury and Khamenei assassination. Targets include Al Udeid Air Base (Qatar), Ali Al Salem Air Base (Kuwait), Al Dhafra Air Base (UAE), and US Navy Fifth Fleet HQ (Bahrain). Oil tanker Skylight attacked in Strait of Hormuz.
Day -10 (Build-up)
Wednesday, February 18, 2026Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz for Live-Fire Drills
IRGC conducts live-fire naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, temporarily closing the critical chokepoint that carries ~20% of global oil supply. Escalation from Feb 16 readiness drill. Occurs during Geneva nuclear talks. Two US carrier strike groups (Ford, Lincoln) positioned nearby.
Day -23 (Build-up)
Thursday, February 5, 2026Iran IRGC Seizes Two Oil Tankers in Persian Gulf
Iran's Revolutionary Guard navy seized two foreign-crewed oil tankers near Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf, claiming fuel smuggling. 15 crew detained. Occurred hours before US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman.
Day -30 (Build-up)
Thursday, January 29, 2026Iran IRGC Naval Drills in Strait of Hormuz
IRGC conducts live-fire naval exercises (Eqtedar) in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. Features fast boats, shore-to-sea missiles, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones. ~20% of global oil flows transit the strait.
Day -51 (Build-up)
Thursday, January 8, 2026Iran Energy Workers Join Nationwide Strikes
Workers at South Pars refineries join protests, threatening Iran's natural gas production and state revenue. Iran is OPEC's fourth largest producer at ~3 million bpd.
Day -62 (Build-up)
Sunday, December 28, 2025Iran Protests Begin at Tehran Grand Bazaar
Nationwide protests begin with shutdown of Tehran's Grand Bazaar by merchants and traders. Economic crisis, currency collapse, and energy shortages trigger largest demonstrations since 2022-23.