Iran threatens to close Strait of Hormuz again if US blockade continues Iran has warned it may close the Strait of Hormuz again if the United States continues its blockade of Iranian ports, escalating tensions in a vital global shipping route. The warning comes as the U.S. Blockade, implemented under President Donald Trump’s order, remains in effect amid ongoing diplomatic talks over Iran’s nuclear program and regional conflicts. More than 90% of Iran’s $109.7 billion in annual seaborne trade transits through the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. Central Command. The blockade, which took effect Monday, involves over 10,000 U.S. Troops, more than a dozen Navy ships, and fighter jets operating in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. U.S. Forces have completely halted economic sea trade going in and out of Iran, Centcom commander Brad Cooper said late Tuesday. Iran’s Speaker of Parliament, Mohammad-Bagher Qalibaf, stated Friday that Tehran will close the Strait of Hormuz again if the blockade continues, contradicting President Trump’s assertion that the waterway would remain open. Qalibaf had previously warned the strait “will not remain open” if the U.S. Blockade persisted. Iran’s joint military command confirmed Saturday that control of the Strait has returned to its previous state under strict management by the armed forces. Despite the blockade, Iran’s state media reported Wednesday that a supertanker capable of carrying 2 million barrels of oil transited the Strait of Hormuz with its tracking system active, “without any concealment.” The vessel, identified as the Chinese-owned Alicia, had previously called at Iranian ports and was sanctioned under a prior name for transporting Iranian crude oil. MarineTraffic.com data showed the Alicia and at least two other oil tankers moving through the strait overnight Tuesday, even as U.S. Enforcement began. The U.S. Military maintains that its blockade is enforced impartially against all vessels entering or departing Iranian ports, but emphasized that freedom of navigation will not be impeded for ships transiting the Strait to and from non-Iranian ports. U.S. Central Command reiterated Sunday that the blockade applies to all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The blockade is estimated to cost Iran approximately $435 million per day in economic damage, according to Miad Maleki, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Maleki noted Iran lacks significant alternative trade routes, making the Strait of Hormuz critical to its economy. Diplomatic discussions between the U.S. And Iran continue, with Trump indicating talks will proceed over the weekend. But, he affirmed the blockade will remain in full force until Iran reaches a deal, including on its nuclear programme. Iran has linked the reopening of the Strait to the cessation of the U.S. Blockade, stating it will restrict transit as long as the blockade continues. The Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil trade passed before the conflict, remains a focal point of U.S.-Iran tensions. Its closure would disrupt global energy markets and trigger widespread economic repercussions. Both sides have signaled willingness to negotiate, but neither has backed down on core demands, leaving the waterway’s status uncertain amid a fragile ceasefire.
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