Breaking: Iran Officially Closes Strait of Hormuz, Threatens to Fire on Passing Vessels

Iran has officially closed the Strait of Hormuz. A senior official of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and Iran will fire on any vessel attempting to pass through it.

The statement emerged from Iranian media reports on Monday local time. According to Reuters, this represents the most explicit warning from Iran since notifying vessels of the closure of the export route on Saturday, which risks disrupting global logistics.

“The Strait (of Hormuz) is closed,” said Ebrahim Jabari, a senior adviser to the IRGC’s Supreme Commander.

“If anyone attempts to pass through it, the heroes of the Revolutionary Guard and regular navy will burn those ships,” he added.

The closure represents a move threatening one-fifth of global oil flow. This could cause crude oil prices to spike sharply. The strait serves as the world’s most important oil export route, connecting the largest oil producers in the Gulf, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates, with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

The closure occurs following attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran on 28 February aimed at overthrowing the current regime. In that operation, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed.

In response, Iran fired several volleys of missiles at neighbouring Gulf countries hosting US military bases such as Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Tehran also fired missiles at the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.

Approximately 20% of global daily oil consumption passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which is approximately 33 kilometres (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point. Oil markets have focused on tensions between Tehran and its long-standing adversaries, the United States and Israel, due to concerns that a major conflict will disrupt supply and destabilise the region.