Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commander says the Strait of Hormuz is now closed and warned that any vessel attempting to pass through will be set on fire, according to Iranian state media. Fox News' Jennifer Griffin reported, however, that the strait is not closed, and that Iran is noit patrolling it.
The threat comes after the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by American and Israeli strikes that have kicked off a war with the middle eastern power.
Global oil prices would likely increase dramatically if the strait is closed. The channel, located between Iran and Oman, is the chokepoint for an estimated 25 percent of the world’s seaborne oil trade and roughly one-fifth of all oil trade.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz had slowed sharply in the days following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, with oil and gas tankers increasingly avoiding the critical waterway. Vessel tracking data shows ships holding position outside the strait, while some already in transit have turned around.
Several ships reported hearing a radio broadcast claiming to be from the Iranian navy stating that passage through Hormuz was “banned for all ships.” Iran has not issued a formal public declaration closing the waterway, but multiple shipowners opted to delay or reroute voyages. The US previously warned commercial vessels to remain at least 30 nautical miles from American military assets in the region. This is a breaking news story. Refresh for updates.
The threat comes after the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by American and Israeli strikes that have kicked off a war with the middle eastern power.
Global oil prices would likely increase dramatically if the strait is closed. The channel, located between Iran and Oman, is the chokepoint for an estimated 25 percent of the world’s seaborne oil trade and roughly one-fifth of all oil trade.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz had slowed sharply in the days following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, with oil and gas tankers increasingly avoiding the critical waterway. Vessel tracking data shows ships holding position outside the strait, while some already in transit have turned around.
Several ships reported hearing a radio broadcast claiming to be from the Iranian navy stating that passage through Hormuz was “banned for all ships.” Iran has not issued a formal public declaration closing the waterway, but multiple shipowners opted to delay or reroute voyages. The US previously warned commercial vessels to remain at least 30 nautical miles from American military assets in the region. This is a breaking news story. Refresh for updates.
