Iran's IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz closed and warned it will fire on any vessel attempting to transit, state media reported. The move follows U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28 and risks disrupting roughly 20% of global daily oil flows, which could push crude prices higher. The announcement adds to shipping threats already posed by Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since 2023.
Iran Declares Strait Of Hormuz Closed, Warns It Will Fire On Any Vessel
Birds fly near a boat in the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, as seen from Musandam, Oman, March 2, 2026.REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
CAIRO, March 2 — Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) told state media on Monday that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and that its forces will fire on any ship attempting to transit the vital waterway.
IRGC Warning
Ebrahim Jabari, a senior adviser to the IRGC commander-in-chief, was quoted by state media saying:
"The strait (of Hormuz) is closed. If anyone tries to pass, the heroes of the Revolutionary Guards and the regular navy will set those ships ablaze."
Strategic Importance
The Strait of Hormuz links major Gulf oil producers — including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates — to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Around 20% of the world's daily oil consumption passes through the strait, which narrows to roughly 33 kilometres (21 miles) at its tightest point. Any prolonged closure or military confrontation there could sharply disrupt global energy supplies and push crude prices higher.
Recent Developments And Context
Tehran said the closure followed U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28 that Iran described as attempts to unseat its leadership; U.S. President Donald Trump had publicly offered support to Iranians seeking to remove the clerical government. In retaliation, Iran launched multiple missile barrages at Gulf neighbours that host U.S. forces — naming Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain — and said it also fired missiles toward the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Broader Shipping Risks
The announcement compounds earlier disruptions to global shipping caused by drone and missile attacks carried out by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi militants, who have targeted vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since the Gaza war began in 2023. Commercial shippers, insurers and energy markets are closely monitoring the situation for further escalation.
Implications
A closure of the Hormuz corridor or direct military attacks on commercial shipping would likely trigger immediate market volatility and diplomatic pressure on all sides to de-escalate. International maritime authorities and regional governments will face urgent decisions about routing, escorts and safety measures for commercial vessels.
(Reporting by Jaidaa Taha and Menna Alaa El-Din; Writing by Jana Choukeir and Tala Ramadan; Editing by Michael Georgy, Nadine Awadalla and Lisa Shumaker)
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