Iran has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that no vessels will be allowed to pass until the United States lifts its ongoing naval blockade of Iranian ports.
The declaration, issued by Iran’s military command and reinforced by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, comes amid escalating tensions in the Gulf and follows a brief reopening of the critical shipping route just a day earlier.
According to maritime security sources, multiple commercial vessels attempting to transit the strait were forced to turn back after receiving radio warnings from Iranian forces. At least two ships reported being struck by gunfire, though no casualties have been confirmed.
Shipping agencies say Iranian patrol boats fired on vessels near key transit points, while others were warned that any attempt to pass through the waterway would be treated as hostile.
Iranian officials insist the move is a direct response to what they describe as an unlawful U.S. blockade, arguing that freedom of navigation cannot be one-sided. The closure effectively halts traffic through one of the world’s most vital النفط corridors, through which roughly a fifth of global oil and gas supplies typically flow.
The disruption has already left hundreds of vessels stranded in the Gulf, raising fears of a major global energy shock and renewed instability in international markets.
The United States has yet to signal any intention to lift the blockade, with officials maintaining pressure on Tehran as negotiations over a broader peace deal remain uncertain.
Analysts warn the situation risks spiraling further, as continued attacks on commercial shipping and the closure of the strait could trigger wider international involvement and significantly impact global trade.
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