The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy has shut down the Strait of Hormuz to all maritime traffic. Every oil tanker, every commercial vessel, every container ship that normally threads through that narrow waterway between Iran and Oman is now being told to turn around or face consequences.
Two ships have already learned the hard way. Iranian reports indicate both vessels were struck after attempting what the IRGC called “illegal passage” through the strait.
Why this chokepoint matters more than almost any other place on Earth
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 20% of global oil shipments. Around 3,200 ships typically pass through this waterway. That traffic has now dropped to zero, at least officially.
The IRGC justified the closure by citing what Iranian state media described as repeated violations of ceasefire conditions by the United States. The specific grievances include demands for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and the removal of US forces from the region.
