Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz Closed to All Traffic Amid Sovereignty Dispute

TEHRAN — Iran has announced a new restricted zone outside the Strait of Hormuz and declared the critical waterway closed to all maritime traffic under Iranian control, marking a dramatic escalation in tensions with the United States. The declaration was issued on Saturday by Major General Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), in a statement released late Friday evening local time.

The SNSC stated that the closure is an immediate measure to assert Iranian sovereignty over the waterway and serves as a direct response to what Tehran describes as a U.S. naval blockade and escalating threats against its national security. The new restricted zone extends beyond the strait's traditional boundaries into the Persian Gulf, effectively placing the entire maritime corridor under strict Iranian jurisdiction.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most vital shipping lanes, with approximately 20 million barrels of oil passing through it daily. The closure represents a significant disruption to global energy markets and international trade routes connecting the Middle East to Asia and Europe. Major General Rezaei emphasized that the move is defensive in nature, designed to counter perceived aggression by American naval forces operating in the region.

In response to the announcement, U.S. officials have not yet issued a formal statement regarding the specific mechanics of the closure, though Pentagon spokespeople have previously warned against any unilateral actions that threaten freedom of navigation in international waters. The United States has maintained a significant naval presence in the Persian Gulf for years, citing the need to protect commercial shipping and deter Iranian influence.

The declaration comes amid heightened rhetoric between Tehran and Washington following months of diplomatic friction. Iran has long argued that its territorial rights extend further into the strait than recognized by international maritime law, while Western nations maintain that the waterway is an international thoroughfare open to all vessels. The new restricted zone appears to formalize Iran's claim over a broader area, potentially complicating the passage of tankers and merchant vessels even those not directly engaged in conflict.

Shipping companies and energy traders are monitoring the situation closely as the implications of the closure begin to unfold. While no immediate attacks on commercial vessels have been reported since the announcement, the declaration signals a shift from diplomatic posturing to active enforcement of maritime restrictions. The international community faces an uncertain path forward as both sides appear unwilling to de-escalate.

Questions remain regarding how Iran intends to enforce the closure and whether other regional powers will intervene to keep the strait open. The United Nations and major economic powers have yet to convene emergency sessions to address the developing crisis, leaving the fate of global oil supplies in limbo as the situation continues to evolve.