On June 11, TASS news agency quoted a statement from the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command of the Iranian armed forces as saying that Tehran has decided to completely close the Hormuz Strait to all maritime activities.
According to Iranian state media, the blockade took effect immediately. Tehran declared that all oil tankers, cargo ships and other civilian vehicles are not allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also warned that it would attack any ships intentionally crossing the area.
On the same day, the navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran (IRGC) said it had attacked two ships believed to be trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after the lockdown order was issued. However, Iran has not announced the names of the ships involved as well as the extent of damage.
The new move comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and the US after new US airstrikes on Iranian territory. Iranian officials believe that blockading the Strait of Hormuz is a response to increasingly complex security developments in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is a sea route connecting the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. This is considered one of the most important strategic "bottlenecks" of global energy trade.
According to international energy organizations, about 20% of the world's daily traded oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) is transported through the Strait of Hormuz. Many major oil exporting countries in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) depend on this shipping route.
Experts believe that Iran's announcement of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz may increase concerns about the risk of disruption to global energy supplies. If the blockade is prolonged or strictly implemented, world oil prices may face strong pressure to increase, while affecting international maritime transport activities.
To date, the US has not issued an official response to Iran's new statement. Meanwhile, many countries and transportation businesses are closely monitoring developments in the Strait of Hormuz due to concerns that escalating tensions could affect global trade and energy security.
