Global Oil Markets Roiled as Iran Threatens to Close Hormuz
News Desk
Tehran: In a dramatic escalation of tensions following recent US airstrikes on its nuclear facilities, Iran on Monday warned it would imminently close the Strait of Hormuz — the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoint — sending shockwaves through global energy markets.
Brigadier General Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, declared in a televised address that the strategic waterway “will be closed within hours” if hostilities against Iran continue.
“Iran will not tolerate violations of its sovereignty. The Strait of Hormuz will be completely shut down if aggression persists,” Gen. Tangsiri said, adding that any disruption would carry “grave consequences for global trade.”
The narrow maritime passage, which links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, handles nearly a quarter of the world’s oil and a third of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. Despite being just 21 to 52 nautical miles wide, it is a lifeline for energy supplies from Gulf states — including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, and Qatar — to key Asian markets such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea.
The immediate impact on energy markets was swift. Brent crude jumped more than 6% in early Asian trading, while WTI crude also surged amid growing fears of a prolonged supply disruption.
Energy experts warned that even a short-term closure could drive oil prices above $100 per barrel, severely disrupt global shipping routes, and deepen geopolitical rifts between major world powers.
“This situation has escalated from a regional standoff to a global economic threat,” said Dr. Noura Hadad, an energy analyst at the Institute of Strategic Studies in London. “Just the possibility of a shutdown is enough to trigger panic — if it materializes, it could ignite one of the most significant energy shocks in recent history.”
While the United States has yet to issue an official response, reports indicate that the Pentagon has raised the alert level of its naval forces in the region, signaling concern over the rapidly deteriorating security environment.
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