Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has announced the beginning of an operation to cut off transit through the Strait of Hormuzone of the most strategic routes on the planet for the transportation of oil and gas. The warning comes in and has set off all the alarms in the energy markets and international shipping.
Sources from the Iranian Navy have confirmed to the pan-Arab network Al Jazeera that maritime traffic is in the process of suspension after the emission of a radio signal on VHF frequency. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO), the signal – presumably issued by the Revolutionary Guard – warned ships of the closure of the passage.
The UKMTO has specified that these transmissions “are not legally binding nor do they constitute a legal restriction on navigation under international law” unless they are implemented in accordance with the applicable legal frameworks.
A critical point for world oil
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. An essential part of the global energy supply passes through this maritime corridor, just about 33 kilometers at its narrowest point.
According to data from the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA), around 17 to 20 million barrels of oil a day —close to 20% of world consumption—pass through this route. It is also key for liquefied natural gas (LNG), especially that from Qatar.
An effective blockade would have immediate consequences:
- Increase in the price of crude oil.
- Strain in financial markets.
- Risk of interruptions in energy supply in Asia and Europe.
The announcement comes in a context of maximum tension after the counter-Iranian power centers and the subsequent regional counterattack. The Strait of Hormuz is one of Iran’s main instruments of strategic pressure against the West.
