Due to the tense situation in the Middle East, reports have begun to emerge about a potential closure of the Hormuz Strait, which plays a crucial role in global oil logistics.
According to information from international sources, Iranian forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have transmitted warnings to vessels via radio that passage through the strait is "prohibited." The European naval mission has recorded these messages.
At present, there is no official data from Iranian authorities regarding a complete blockade, and international organizations have also not legally confirmed the closure of the strait.
According to media reports, there are disruptions in shipping. Some oil companies and traders have temporarily suspended their supplies through the Hormuz Strait, and some tankers have changed their routes or stopped in regional ports, considering security risks.
The U.S. Navy has reported that it cannot guarantee the safety of commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf, while several countries are advising their sailors to avoid the area. Insurance companies have also begun to raise their rates due to military threats.
Even in the absence of an official closure, shipping through the strait may effectively be restricted. The Hormuz Strait plays a key role in global energy, providing a significant portion of maritime oil and liquefied gas supplies.
The situation escalated after Israeli airstrikes on Iranian facilities on February 28, which, according to international media reports, targeted military and nuclear infrastructures. Iran has stated that it will take retaliatory measures against targets in Israel and the U.S., significantly increasing the risks of escalation in the region.
The Hormuz Strait connects:
- the Persian Gulf, where oil exporters such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE are located
- to the Gulf of Oman
- further to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean
From the Indian Ocean, ships head:
- to Europe via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal
- to Asia, including India, China, Japan, and South Korea
- to Africa and other regions
