Iran 'officially' shuts down Strait of Hormuz, says will fire on any ship trying to pass

The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil shipping lane, linking major Gulf producers - including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates - to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea

• Iran shuts Strait of Hormuz, threatens passing ships
• Closure disrupts key oil route, risking global crude price surge
• Move follows US and Israeli strikes and rising regional tensions

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Iran has shut the Strait of Hormuz and will open fire on any vessel attempting to transit the waterway, a senior official of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said, Reuters reported, citing Iranian state media.

Ebrahim Jabari, a senior adviser to the Guards' commander-in-chief, was quoted as saying the strait is now closed and that Revolutionary Guards forces and the regular navy would set ships ablaze if they try to pass. The warning marks Tehran's clearest statement yet after signalling on Saturday that it intended to block the crucial export corridor.

The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil shipping lane, linking major Gulf producers - including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates - to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

Roughly 20% of global daily oil consumption moves through the narrow passage, which is about 33 km (21 miles) wide at its tightest point. Any prolonged disruption could sharply lift crude prices.

The closure follows U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 aimed at toppling its leadership. US President Donald Trump has said Washington would support Iranians seeking to remove the ruling clerical establishment.

In retaliation, Iran launched multiple missile barrages at Gulf states hosting US military bases, including Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. Missiles were also fired toward the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

By sealing off the strait, Tehran has acted on longstanding threats to block the strategic waterway in response to external attacks. Oil markets have been closely monitoring escalating tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel amid fears that a wider war could disrupt supplies and destabilise the region.

The move adds to existing strains on global shipping, which has already faced disruption from drone and missile attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi militants targeting vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in 2023.