Iran shuts Strait of Hormuz after US strikes
Part of composite article US Bombs Iran, Reimposes Naval Blockade as Oil Chokepoint Shuts Down View full article →
US forces have attacked hundreds of Iranian targets over three consecutive nights, including strikes on the southern port city of Bandar Abbas. The operation is part of a push by US President Donald Trump to regain control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait is a narrow waterway. About 20% of the world’s oil passes through it. Iran has now closed the strait for the first time in decades.
Trump has declared the US the “guardian” of the vital shipping route. The move marks a sharp escalation in tensions between the two countries.
Iran had long held back from shutting the strait. The recent US strikes appear to have changed that calculation. The closure threatens global oil supplies and could raise energy prices worldwide.