The Iranian Council of the Supreme National Security is considering the decision to close Hormu, a vital global energy chokepoint, in response to American military strikes to the Iranian nuclear facility. This step, if approved, would escalate tensions in the region and the risk disrupted almost 20% of the world’s oil and gas consignments.
The Iranian state outlet Press TV reported on Sunday that the final decision was based on the country’s highest security body, although the parliament allegedly approved this measure.
“The closure of the strait is on the show and it will be done whenever necessary,” said the revolutionary commander and legislature of Esmail Kosari and spoke to the Iranian young journalist club.
Energy markets on the edge
Global energy markets have rooted the view of the shutdown, since Israel has launched surprising air strikes across Iran on June 13th. Attacks and subsequent involvement of the US raised concerns about the disturbance of naval oil operation through the strait, which connects the Gulf with the Omanan Gulf.
Brent raw prices increased by more than 10%from 13 June, rising above $ 77 per barrel at a growing geopolitical risk.
Flashback to tanker wars
The current situation reflects the “tanker wars” of the 80s. Iran focused on Saudi and Kuwaiti ships – and even US naval ships – for retaliation for the perceived support of Iraq.
In response to Reagan Administration, Earnest Will began operation in 1987 and deployed the US Navy to accompany oil tankers. This mission ended after an American war ship accidentally shot down the Iranian air flight 655 in 1988 and killed 290 people.
More recently, the tension expanded in 2023, when Iranian forces confiscated the advantage of a sweet raw tanker, rented Chevron, in the Gulf of Persian. The vessel was held more than a year before the release.
Maersk says ships continue to sail over the Hormuz Strait
However, the Danish shipping company says it is ready to re -evaluate the safety of its vessels that move through the Strait based on available information.
“We will constantly monitor the security risk for our specific vessels in the region and we are ready to take operational measures as needed,” Maersk said in a statement.
Also read | Explosion boom bushehr, home of the only Iranian nuclear plant
The new red lines hit us
While maritime activity in the Hormuz Strait has not yet been significantly disturbed, direct military engagement of President Donald Trump can shift Tehran’s strategy. The coordinated American-Israeli strikes on Iranian Ford, Natanz and Isfahan Nuclear devices soon described Washington as a decisive blow to Iranian nuclear ambitions.
“We devastated the Iranian nuclear program,” said US Defense Minister Pete HegSeth. “This operation concerned neutralization threats – not regime changes.”
Global Point Flash
Any closure of the Hormuz Strait would probably cause a global reaction. The narrow waterway is necessary for the energy safety of the main economies in Asia, Europe and the USA.
Western officials urged restrictions and called on return to diplomacy, but the situation remains unstable.
Also read | US strikes against Iran were not aimed at changing the regime: Pentagon Chief (Tagstotranslate) Strait of Hormuz (T) Persian Gulf in Oman Maritime Oil Traffic (T) Iranian Supreme National Security Council (T) Revolutionary Guards
