Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared that the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most crucial oil shipping routes — is closed to maritime traffic and warned that any vessel attempting to transit the narrow waterway would be set on fire by Iranian forces.
The announcement came amid a sharp escalation in the Middle East crisis following recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iranian targets, including reported attacks on Iran’s leadership. IRGC senior adviser Ebrahim Jabari said the closure is a direct response to these actions and that both the Revolutionary Guards and Iran’s regular navy would enforce the ban.
The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and is a vital transit point for roughly 20% of global crude oil supplies. Any disruption or blockade raises serious concerns for global energy markets, with oil prices surging on fears of supply disruptions and increased risk premiums from insurers and shipping firms.
While Tehran claims it has effectively shut the passage, other international authorities, including the U.S. military, have disputed that global shipping has fully stopped, saying the strait remains open despite heightened risk.