Iran Closes Key Oil Route, Threatens to Attack Ships

Iran's Revolutionary Guard has shut down the Strait of Hormuz and warned it will attack any vessels attempting passage. The closure of this critical oil shipping lane could drive gas prices significantly higher for Delaware residents.

Iranian military forces have declared the closure of a vital global oil shipping route and issued warnings they will attack any vessels that attempt to navigate through the area.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that serves as a crucial passage for worldwide energy transportation. Ebrahim Jabbari, who serves as a top advisor to the Guard Corps commander-in-chief, delivered a stark warning: “The Strait [of Hormuz] is closed. If anyone tries to pass, the heroes of the Revolutionary Guards and the regular navy will set those ships ablaze.”

Iranian forces initially declared the route closed on Saturday, but this latest statement marks the first time officials have explicitly threatened to launch attacks on passing ships.

The Revolutionary Guard also claimed responsibility for striking a vessel, stating: “The ATHE NOVA tanker, one of the American allies in the Strait of Hormuz, is still on fire after being hit by two drones.”

This strategic waterway, positioned between Iran and Oman, plays a vital role in global fuel supplies. Energy intelligence company Kpler reports that approximately 13 million barrels of oil pass through this channel daily in 2025, representing roughly 31% of all crude oil transported by sea worldwide.

Market experts warn that a prolonged blockade could drive fuel costs dramatically upward, with some forecasting oil prices climbing beyond $100 per barrel. Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, has already risen 2.6% to approximately $80 per barrel and has increased nearly 10% since current tensions escalated.

Iranian officials characterized the waterway closure as a response to combined American-Israeli military actions that occurred after nuclear negotiations collapsed.