Iran Shuts Hormuz Corridor Amid US Shipping Dispute

The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of Iran's armed forces has shut down the designated shipping corridor in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming the United States attempted to impose an illegal naval blockade. This action follows a three-day period where Iran accused the U.S. of threatening commercial vessels in Iranian coastal and territorial waters and attempting to escort transit through illegal passageways.

Maritime intelligence from Marisk and Windward shows that non-Iranian vessels have almost entirely abandoned a U.S.-promoted southern route near Oman in favor of the Iranian corridor. However, overall transit has plummeted. Kpler reports a 70% drop in crossings since the end of a temporary truce, with daily transits falling from 45 to approximately 13. This decline has led Kpler to push back its estimate for Middle East oil supply recovery to early 2027.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the U.S. violated a memorandum of understanding by establishing the alternative route. This agreement, signed last month to end aggression that began on February 28, had granted fee-free maritime transit for 60 days. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps previously warned it would intercept ships navigating without Tehran's consent, while the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters asserted that U.S. actions represent an expansion of war in the region.