Iran Blocks Strait of Hormuz as US Strikes Reach 11 Nights

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has declared a blanket ban on all maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, stating the waterway will remain closed as long as United States hostile actions continue. This escalation follows a naval blockade of Iranian ports and 11 consecutive nights of U.S. airstrikes, including a projectile attack on the construction site of the Darkhovin nuclear power plant. Shipping traffic has plummeted, with daily commodity vessel crossings dropping from an average of 48 to as few as three by July 22.

Iranian forces have targeted vessels they claim are using unsafe routes or violating navigation rules. The IRGC reported that two oil tankers exploded and were immobilized after attempting to use a southern route they allege was encouraged by the U.S. military. Additional attacks have targeted the Kaifan, a Kuwaiti-owned tanker, and vessels managed by Dynacom Tankers. In retaliation for U.S. actions, Iran has also launched strikes on U.S. facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as attacks in Jordan.

Regional instability has expanded to the Red Sea, where Iran-aligned Houthi militants vowed to blockade Saudi Arabian oil shipments. Two tankers carrying Saudi crude reversed course near the Bab el-Mandeb strait following these threats. Despite the disruption to energy supply chains, global oil prices have remained relatively restrained due to record U.S. crude production and coordinated strategic petroleum reserve releases via the International Energy Agency.