Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate as a senior official from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared the Strait of Hormuz completely blockaded and that Iran would "burn" any ships attempting to pass through. This is XEM as Tehran's strongest statement since it signaled the closure of the strategic oil export route last weekend, raising the risk of serious disruptions to global energy supplies and driving up crude oil prices.
According to Iranian state media, Ebrahim Jabari, a senior advisor to the IRGC commander, asserted that the Revolutionary Guard and the regular navy were ready to act if any ships attempted to cross the strait. This statement immediately provoked a strong reaction from financial and oil markets, as the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important shipping lanes for oil transportation.
The Strait of Hormuz is the gateway connecting major Gulf oil producers such as Saudi Arabia , Iran , Iraq , and the United Arab Emirates to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. At its narrowest point, the strait is only about 33 kilometers wide, yet it carries approximately 20% of the world's total daily oil consumption. Any blockade here could trigger an "oil shock" similar to past energy crises.
The direct cause of the closure is believed to stem from the US and Israeli airstrikes against Iran in late February, aimed at weakening Tehran's leadership. Current US President Donald Trump – who won the 2024 election and is currently in office – also issued a message supporting the Iranian people in changing the ruling clerical regime. This statement further escalated the direct confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
In response, Iran launched multiple missile barrages toward Gulf states that host US military bases, such as Qatar , Kuwait , and Bahrain , as well as targeting locations in Oman , Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This development raised concerns about a large-scale regional conflict that could involve greater powers.
