The Horrors of the Strait of Hormuz for Oil Tanker Ships
Iran continues to block the Strait of Hormuz following attacks by the United States and Israel. The strait remains dangerous for oil tanker ships as they face potential missile strikes.
The commander of the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that any American military vessel or those of its allies transiting the Strait of Hormuz will become targets. According to Al Jazeera, this statement followed claims by US Energy Minister Chris Wright that the US Navy was escorting oil tankers through the strait—a post he subsequently deleted from X.
“Claims about an oil tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz with US military escort are completely false. Every voyage of the US fleet and its allies will be halted by Iranian missiles and suicide drones,” said IRGC naval commander Alireza Tangsiri.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister stated that the US is “spreading false news” about the Strait of Hormuz to manipulate financial markets. This followed the US withdrawing its claim that one of its warships had escorted an energy tanker through the strait that day.
The IRGC stated that countries will obtain unobstructed access to transit the Strait of Hormuz if they expel US and Israeli ambassadors from their territory.
“Every Arab nation or European country that expels Israeli and American ambassadors from its territory will have full freedom and authority to pass through the Strait of Hormuz starting tomorrow,” the IRGC announced on Monday, 9 March.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically vital waterway that typically handles approximately 20 per cent of global oil trade and global liquefied natural gas export volumes. However, according to analytics firm Kpler, which operates the MarineTraffic platform, tanker traffic there has declined by 90 per cent within a week.
Thai Cargo Ship Attacked
Three crew members are believed to be trapped aboard a Thai cargo vessel struck by Iranian projectiles whilst transiting the Strait of Hormuz. As of now, they have not been successfully rescued.
The IRGC stated on Wednesday, 11 March, that they had attacked the ship Mayuree Naree, registered in Thailand, as well as a Liberian-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz because these ships ignored “warnings.”
The Thai vessel was struck by projectiles on Wednesday morning whilst transiting the gulf waterway, after departing from Khalifa Port in the United Arab Emirates.
Both projectiles damaged the engine room of the Mayuree Naree and caused a fire.
“Three crew members are reported missing and believed to be trapped in the engine room,” said Thai shipping company Precious Shipping in a statement, reported by AFP on Thursday, 12 March 2026. It was noted that authorities are attempting to rescue them.
Mojtaba Khamenei Orders Strait of Hormuz to Remain Closed
Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has ordered his forces to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed. He has instructed his ranks to seriously blockade the Strait of Hormuz from passing vessels.
According to AFP on Thursday, 12 March 2026, Mojtaba Khamenei’s statement came after days of public absence, reportedly due to injuries sustained in an air strike. He delivered his statement firmly.
“The lever to blockade the Strait of Hormuz must be fully utilised,” Khamenei said regarding the waterway typically traversed by approximately one-quarter of global maritime oil trade.
Moreover, Mojtaba Khamenei, whose father and predecessor Ali Khamenei died in the first wave of US-Israeli attacks at the war’s outset, called for retaliation. He demanded that Gulf nations close their US military bases.
“I swear to avenge the blood of our children and grandchildren,” he stated firmly.
Iran Threatens the US
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard subsequently reacted to Mojtaba’s statement. Naval Commander Alireza Tangsiri pledged to deliver a severe blow to the US and Israel whilst maintaining closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
“In response to the supreme commander’s orders, we will deliver the strongest blow to the aggressor enemies whilst maintaining the strategy of closing the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
For context, under Iranian attacks, shipping around the Strait of Hormuz has nearly halted for several days. Several vessels attempting to transit have also been targeted in the gulf off the coasts of the United Arab Emirates and Iraq.