Weeks of negotiations, threats and escalation of tensions culminated this Saturday in a major joint attack by the United States and Israel on Iran. The impact among the leadership of the Islamic Republic is still unknown, as is the extent of Iranian reprisals against the Jewish State and US bases in the region. In any case, Iran has an asset with which he has repeatedly threatened: the closing of Strait of Hormuza key artery of the global oil trade.
The fears about indefinite lock of this important maritime passage are increasing as a possible retaliation by the regime. Even though Tehran has not made any official announcementthe British Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO), which monitors commercial activity in the oceans, has reported that VHF radio frequency signals have been sent ensuring that that strait was closed.
These communications, attributed to the Iranian Navy, have not been verified. “Those reports could not be confirmed regardless,” said the UKMTO, adding that messages sent over VHF channels “are not legally binding and do not constitute any navigational restriction under international law.”
Tasnim, the media outlet affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) has pointed out that the step would be temporarily “effectively closed”. “The IRGC has warned several vessels that, due to unsafe conditions around the strait caused by US and Israeli military aggression and Iranian responses, passage through the strait is not safe at this time,” the outlet notes.
The US recommends avoiding it
The United States Department of Transportation issued this Saturday a recommendation for Commercial ships avoid sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea due to the large-scale attack by the United States and Israel against Iran.
“On February 28, a important military activity in the geographical areas mentioned above. “Ships are recommended to stay away from this area as much as possible,” said the Maritime Administration in an alert that will be valid until March 7.
The note recalled that any US-flagged, US-owned or crewed commercial vessel “must maintain a distance of 30 nautical miles from US military vessels to reduce the risk of being mistaken for a threat“.
A key point
The Strait of Hormuz separates the coasts of Iran and Oman, and its waters transport around the 20% of world production of crude oil and liquefied natural gas. Through this strait, which at its narrowest point measures 54 kilometers, a average of 144 vesselsof which 37% are oil tankers, 17% container ships and 13% bulk carriers, according to data from the Maritime Transport Review 2025 report of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
This artery of maritime commerce is especially important for Asian marketstowards which it is directed from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates United a large part of the energy resources.
The strait is also a trick that the Persian authorities have used for years to threaten both Israel and USA, especially the latter, in response to the sanctions imposed by Washington for its nuclear program.
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