Strait of Hormuz closed again, Iran says, as ships attacked
Iran has again declared the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed to normal commercial traffic, following new attacks on ships in and around the waterway.
What Iran is saying
-
Tehran states it has “re‑closed” the Strait of Hormuz in response to what it describes as a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and ships, warning that it will fire on any vessel attempting passage without authorization.
-
Iranian military sources say shipping must follow special, IRGC‑supervised routes, and that any ship defying this will be considered hostile.
Recent ship attacks
-
A tanker and a container ship have reportedly been fired upon or aggressively challenged by Iranian Revolutionary Guard gunboats near Oman, sustaining material damage but no confirmed casualties so far.
-
Separately, Indian‑flagged vessels attempting to transit the strait have been fired at or forced to halt; India has formally expressed concern, while Iran insists the passage remains “open” only for those complying with its conditions.
Strategic and market implications
-
The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly 20% of global seaborne oil, so renewed closure or tight control pushes energy‑market volatility and risks sharp oil‑price spikes.
-
The U.S. has responded with heightened naval presence and new executive‑level orders, while some regional states are quietly seeking diplomatic channels (including Pakistani‑mediated proposals) to de‑escalate.
