Iran Threatens to Close Strait of Hormuz Following Israeli and US Attacks

Attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran have had far-reaching consequences. Iran has announced plans to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route for the shipment of oil and gas.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have issued updated statements regarding security in the Strait of Hormuz, declaring that the waterway cannot currently be traversed due to security considerations.

“The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have warned various vessels that owing to the unsafe atmosphere surrounding the strait as a result of military aggression by the US and Israel and Iran’s response, it is currently unsafe to pass through the strait,” reported Iran’s news agency Tasnim, cited by AFP, on Sunday (1 March 2026).

A further statement from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards indicated that this situation effectively constitutes a closure of traffic through the Hormuz Strait.

“With the cessation of ship and tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the strait has essentially been closed,” the Iranian Revolutionary Guards stated.

According to Gulf News, vessels in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz have also received announcements from Iran via radio broadcasts. They have been warned by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards that passage through the Strait of Hormuz is not permitted.

The strait, located in the Arabian Gulf, is critically important to US allies and global energy markets. The region has become a focal point following US and Israeli missile attacks on Iran on Saturday.

Iran is situated on the northern shore of the Strait of Hormuz and controls the main approach to the waterway, affording Teheran significant influence over the passage through which the majority of its own oil exports and the bulk of global energy supplies travel.