Iran Declares Strait Of Hormuz Closed, Vows To Burn Any Ship That Tries To Pass

New Delhi: Iran's influential military unit the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed on Monday that the sea route through the Strait of Hormuz has been closed. A senior Guards officer warned that if any ship tried to proceed through this route it would be targeted. As soon as the statement came out, there was a stir in the international markets and strategic circles. However, the American side has said that maritime traffic is still continuing and the route has not been completely closed.

Is the world's energy supply at risk?

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Despite its small width, its importance is very great. About one-fifth of the global oil supply passes through this route. The big producing countries of the Gulf send their tankers from here to Asia and Europe. Major importing countries like China, Japan, India and South Korea are largely dependent on this route. If movement stops here then a rise in prices is considered almost certain.

How concrete and how symbolic is the Iranian statement?

Officials associated with IRGC say that this step has been taken for security reasons. However, initial indications from international maritime tracking agencies show that the movement of ships has not come to a complete halt. Many analysts are considering this as a strict political message, the purpose of which may be to put pressure on the opposing countries.

What does America's response indicate?

The US Central Command has clarified that the waterway is open and the movement of commercial ships is continuing. Washington believes that rhetoric that increases tension could further destabilize the regional situation. The US Navy is already active in this area and is keeping a close watch on the situation.

Why did the equation change after Khamenei's death?

Tension reached its peak when the news of the death of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint attack by America and Israel came. After this incident, Iran fired missiles in the direction of countries with American military bases located in the Gulf region. Retaliatory action and rhetoric have made the situation more complicated. Hundreds of people are feared dead so far.

Will there be turmoil in the oil market again?

In past years, whenever tensions have increased in Hormuz, oil prices have seen a rise. Experts believe the global market would react quickly if there were actual shipping disruptions. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have limited alternative pipeline routes, but most exports still go through this sea route.

At present the picture is not completely clear. On one side there is a strict warning, on the other side there is a claim that the road is open. In such a situation, the coming few days will decide whether this is just a strategic pressure or a real crisis for the global energy supply.