TEHRAN: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) announced on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz is closed “until further notice” following an incident where they fired warning shots at a vessel they claimed was using an unauthorized route. This development could further hinder ongoing US-Iran negotiations, especially after recent exchanges of strikes and threats from both sides.
According to reports from Axios and Politico, the United States had given Iran until Saturday to cease targeting commercial ships passing through Hormuz and to officially recognize that the strait remains open for navigation. A major sticking point in the diplomatic talks is the future control of the waterway, with Tehran insisting on authority over shipping routes and Washington demanding open and unrestricted passage.
The IRGC stated that the vessel was hit with warning shots and halted after ignoring multiple instructions to follow an approved shipping corridor. In their official statement via IRNA, they declared that due to this incident, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed “until further notice and until American interventions in the region cease,” banning all vessels from passing through.
They also threatened to target “new enemy bases in the region” if they face further military action. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global maritime chokepoint, with approximately 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas trade passing through it. Disruptions here can significantly impact energy markets.
Historically, Iran has closed the strait during conflicts, notably during its war with the US and Israel, causing spikes in oil prices and regional maritime disruptions. Iran claims the right to regulate passage and has proposed charging fees for vessels using the route. However, Iran has also stated there will be no return to the pre-war system of free navigation, insisting on control.
The US rejects Iran’s position, emphasizing that international law generally prohibits countries from imposing tolls on straits used for global navigation, advocating for free passage for commercial ships.
