Iran Threatens Hormuz Closure: No Guarantee Without Coordination

Iran warned on Tuesday that it cannot guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz unless there is coordination with Tehran. The statement pushes back against a recent call by the United States and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for "free and unconditional" navigation in the strategic waterway. The strait is a narrow channel linking the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. About one-fifth of the world's oil passes through it, making it a critical route for global energy supplies. Iran's warning signals heightened tensions in the region. The US and GCC had jointly urged all nations to respect freedom of navigation without restrictions. Tehran's response suggests it will use its control over the strait as leverage in ongoing disputes. No further details were provided on what "coordination" with Iran would involve. The statement underscores the fragile balance in one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints.