Iran considers closing Strait of Hormuz amid escalating conflict with Israel
Tehran/Doha: Amid intensifying hostilities with Israel, Iran is reportedly considering the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil supplies. The development was reported by Iranian state broadcaster IRINN and highlighted in a detailed Al Jazeera explainer published on Saturday, citing Iranian lawmaker and former IRGC commander Esmail Kosari.
Kosari’s remarks come in the wake of Israel’s widespread airstrikes across Iran on June 13, which targeted military installations, residential buildings, and key nuclear facilities. The strikes reportedly killed at least 78 people, including Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, Ali Shamkhani. In retaliation, Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones towards Israel early Saturday, causing fatalities and widespread alarm.
According to Al Jazeera, Kosari claimed Tehran may invoke closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow sea corridor bordered by Iran, Oman, and the UAE that links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Often referred to as the “world’s most important oil transit chokepoint,” the strait handles roughly 20% of global petroleum shipments.
Despite being 33 km (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point, the actual shipping lanes within the strait are considerably narrower, making them especially vulnerable to military threats. Any disruption could trigger a global oil shock, significantly raising energy prices even in countries not directly reliant on Gulf oil exports.
Al Jazeera noted that while threats to the strait have been made in the past, including during the 1980–88 Iran-Iraq War and again in 2019 amid US-Iran tensions, Hormuz has never been fully closed. However, the stakes now appear higher. A closure would not only choke regional economies but also risk drawing direct military retaliation from the United States, which maintains significant naval forces in the area.
Although Washington assisted Israel in intercepting Iranian missiles, US officials have clarified that the United States was not involved in Israel’s initial attack and has refrained from any direct military engagement with Iran. Iran, in turn, has not targeted US assets in the region, a sign, analysts say, that Tehran may be wary of escalating the conflict into a wider war.
Still, Kosari’s threat is being seen as a signal of the options Tehran may consider as tensions rise. Al Jazeera emphasised that the potential closure of Hormuz remains one of Iran’s most powerful strategic tools in response to external pressure, one that could have cascading effects on global trade, energy markets, and geopolitical stability.
The report also drew parallels to the Houthis’ ongoing attacks near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea. While ships in that region have rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid conflict zones, no such alternative exists for maritime traffic leaving the Gulf.
As of now, the threat remains rhetorical, but the prospect of closing Hormuz adds a dangerous new dimension to the unfolding Iran-Israel crisis, and places global energy security on high alert.
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Vehicle catches fire during AAI building inauguration near Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): A car parked at an AAI building inauguration venue caught fire on Saturday, triggering brief panic, officials said.
The vehicle was completely gutted in the flames. However, no loss of life or injuries were reported, they said.
The incident occurred during the inauguration programme of the AAI's new building located on the Devanahalli--Sulibele Road near here. The programme was attended by the Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
A fire brigade deployed at the venue immediately reached the spot and doused the flames. Officials said the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, and an investigation is underway.
