Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route. The move comes after recent attacks by the U.S. and Israel on sensitive sites in Iran.
Authorities sent radio messages to ships in the area, warning that no vessel would be allowed to pass through the strait. A European Union naval official confirmed that ships received alerts about the blockade.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. About 20% of the world’s crude oil passes through this route. Nearly a fifth of global LNG trade also moves through the strait.
This passage is vital for oil exports from the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. Qatar ships most of its LNG exports through the same route. Experts warn that a long closure could disrupt global oil and gas supply. Fuel prices worldwide could rise sharply.
Some major oil companies and trading firms have already started planning to limit or stop shipments through the strait. The international community is closely watching the situation as tensions in the region escalate.
