TEHRAN (Kashmir English): The global oil market has entered a state of panic after Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. The move comes in response to recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, escalating already high tensions in the region.
Several reports suggest the underground nuclear facilities are still safe, contrary to President Donald Trump’s claims that the US B-2 bombers completely destroyed them. Official confirmations will be shared later today.
Prior to today’s US strikes, Iranian lawmakers informed state media agencies that the country will definitely close the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea if Trump joins Israel’s illegal war efforts.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow but vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. Every day, around 20 to 25 million barrels of oi – nearly 25% of global supply – pass through this chokepoint. Any disruption to traffic in the strait could lead to a severe spike in oil prices and global economic instability.
Brigadier General Alireza Tangsiri, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, announced that the strategic strait “will be closed within a few hours,” warning of serious repercussions for global trade and energy flows.
“The Strait of Hormuz will be shut down completely if aggression against our sovereignty continues,” Gen. Tangsiri said in a televised statement. “Iran will not allow its territorial integrity to be violated without a firm response.”
Major oil-exporting countries — including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, the UAE, and Qatar — depend on the strait to transport oil and gas, particularly to Asian economies like China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, which account for 76% of these exports.
Global oil prices reacted immediately to the threat. Brent crude rose over 6% in early Asian trading, while WTI crude futures also saw a sharp climb, amid fears of supply bottlenecks and shipping disruptions.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a flashpoint in the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the U.S., and Israel, especially after recent attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
“This is not just a regional crisis anymore — it’s a global economic flashpoint,” said Dr. Noura Hadad, an energy markets expert at the Institute of Strategic Studies in London. “Even the threat of closure creates panic in the market. If the shutdown becomes a reality, we are looking at a potentially historic energy shock.”
