Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on the 12th (local time) that it would "close the Strait of Hormuz until further notice," a key chokepoint for global oil shipments. The move came two days after the United States demanded that Iran publicly promise to halt attacks on ships and allow free passage. With Iran and Oman discussing a plan for transiting the strait when the renewed closure declaration emerged, experts said uncertainty over U.S.-Iran talks and the global energy market has surged sharply.
In a statement on the 12th (local time), the Revolutionary Guard said it "warned it would respond firmly to foreign interference and the unlawful designation of routes in the Strait of Hormuz, and also conveyed in advance that if traffic through the strait increased, problems would arise," adding, "A few hours ago those warnings were ignored, and multiple vessels, incited by foreign powers, attempted to transit via unauthorized routes."
The Revolutionary Guard added, "We warned these vessels to alter course and move to approved routes, but they ignored it," and said, "As instability has occurred due to illegal foreign intervention, the Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed until further notice, and until U.S. involvement in the region ends."
The Revolutionary Guard also warned, "Seizing on this incident, if the enemy makes a mistake or launches an invasion against Iran, we will respond forcefully," adding, "The United States, the Zionist (Israel) enemies, and the countries that provided bases for these threats bear responsibility for the consequences."
Reuters the same day also cited Iran's state-run Fars News Agency as reporting that "after the Revolutionary Guard Navy fired warning shots at a vessel attempting to pass through the strait via an unapproved route, it announced the Strait of Hormuz would be closed until further notice." The name and flag of the targeted vessel, as well as the actual route it used, were not disclosed. It was also not known whether there were casualties or damage to the ship.
The announcement came without notice as the United States and Iran are facing off over transit order in the strait. The United States is currently demanding that Iran issue a statement opening all routes toll-free and pledging to stop attacking ships. Iran, by contrast, maintains that it holds management authority over the strait and that safety can be ensured only by following routes and procedures it approves. Whether an actual closure of the Strait of Hormuz would lead to military clashes in the area remains uncertain. The Revolutionary Guard also declared a closure last month, but the U.S. military denied it, saying "ship traffic continues."
Confusion also appears to be mounting at Iran's leadership level. Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Oman Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi discussed on the 11th, a day before the Revolutionary Guard's closure announcement, ways to ensure ships could pass safely through the strait. Oman was said to have prepared a mediation plan to freely open the southern route within its territorial waters while requiring prior approval for the northern route that passes through Iran's territorial waters. The two countries agreed to continue consultations at the technical and political levels, but with the Revolutionary Guard again declaring a closure, it has become unclear whether the mediation plan will translate into actual operations. Even if the strait is not completely sealed, if the risk of attacks rises, shipping companies may delay sailings and insurers may raise war-risk premiums, sharply driving up actual transportation expense, experts said.
Recently in the Strait of Hormuz, three merchant ships from Qatar and Saudi Arabia were attacked by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. In retaliation, the United States carried out airstrikes on Iran's air defenses, coastal surveillance facilities, and anti-ship missile-related sites, and Iran has responded by striking U.S. facilities in the Gulf region, heightening tensions. On the 11th, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the temporary truce reached last month "is over," while saying working-level talks would continue.
Bloomberg, citing experts, said that if the closure of the strait is prolonged, oil prices and marine insurance premiums could rise again and the risk of a military clash between the United States and Iran could grow. The U.S. government and Central Command have not issued official positions.