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IRGC Declares Strait of Hormuz Closed After Supertanker Explosion
- •Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz is closed following a supertanker explosion after hitting a naval mine.
- •The targeted vessel was carrying over 2 million barrels of crude oil and had allegedly turned off its tracking systems while using an unauthorized route.
- •Iranian authorities stated that the passage of ships of various nationalities through the strategic waterway remains strictly prohibited.
- •Tensions have significantly escalated due to recent US and Israeli strikes, strict sanctions, and an ongoing blockade of Iranian ports.
- •Approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade normally passes through the critical Strait of Hormuz.
Key Questions Answered
The IRGC Navy reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz is closed after a supertanker carrying over two million barrels of crude oil exploded and caught fire upon hitting a naval mine while using an unauthorized route. Iranian authorities claimed the vessel had switched off its positioning and radar systems to deceive maritime officials and was attempting to cross with US military support.
Iran tightened restrictions and barred safe passage for vessels affiliated with Israel and the United States after the US and Israel launched military strikes on Iranian territory on February 28, 2026. Tensions escalated further due to a subsequent US blockade of Iranian ports and stricter economic sanctions.
Before the war, approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade passed through the Strait of Hormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. This makes the waterway a critical energy chokepoint and a crucial economic and geopolitical passage for international supplies.
