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Iran IRGC declares Strait of Hormuz closed, threatens harsh response to ships, targeting vessels tied to US and Israel, risking global energy and regional crisis.
Iran IRGC declares Strait of Hormuz closed, threatens harsh response to ships, targeting vessels tied to US and Israel, risking global energy and regional crisis. (Representational image/Reuters)
Iran has issued one of its strongest warnings yet over the Strait of Hormuz, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declaring that the strategic waterway has been closed and warning that any ship attempting to pass through it will face a “harsh response”.
In a statement, the IRGC Public Relations said the Strait of Hormuz has been closed, and warned that “any passage through this strait will face a harsh response.”
The threat significantly escalates tensions in the Gulf and raises fresh fears over the safety of one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, through which a major share of global oil and gas supplies pass.
Adding to the warning, Iran also said it would widen restrictions to ships linked to countries backing the United States and Israel.
In another statement, Iranian authorities said: “We will prevent the passage of any ships to or from the ports of countries allied with and supporting America and Israel to any destination and through any passage.”
The statement suggests Tehran may not only target military-linked movements but could also move against commercial vessels associated with nations seen as supporting Washington and Tel Aviv.
The Strait of Hormuz remains vital to global energy trade, with millions of barrels of crude oil and liquefied natural gas transported through it every day. Any sustained disruption could send shockwaves through international shipping, energy markets, and fuel-importing countries across Asia and Europe.
The latest threat comes amid an already volatile security situation in West Asia, where military escalation involving Iran, the US, and Israel has pushed maritime tensions to dangerous levels.
Several commercial vessels have already been delayed or rerouted in recent days, while countries dependent on Gulf energy supplies are closely monitoring the evolving situation.
If Iran enforces the closure it has now publicly declared, it could trigger a major regional and economic crisis, with the Strait of Hormuz once again becoming the focal point of a rapidly widening conflict.
March 27, 2026, 3:32 PM IST
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