Maritime Disruptions Mount in Hormuz as Iran Declares Chokepoint Closed

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to ships of all nationalities following a series of maritime incidents. Iranian authorities stated that supertankers caught fire after encountering sea mines while traveling through restricted maritime zones in the Gulf of Oman and Hormuz, noting that the vessels had disabled their tracking equipment.^9,10,11,15

According to reporting from Middle East Eye and Al Jazeera, the targeted supertankers were transporting about two million barrels of crude oil each. Iranian state media described the vessel damage as the outcome of disregarding Iranian regulations, while The Hindu noted that Tehran has asserted control over the strategic waterway since conflict broke out in late February.^10,11,12,15

Security risks have also extended into neighboring waters. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that an LNG carrier encountered seven armed individuals on a skiff southeast of the Yemeni port of al-Mukalla. The tanker crew discharged two warning shots, prompting the smaller boat to change direction.¹³

The disruptions continue to distort international energy flows. While West Asian crude shipments had previously rebounded past pre-war averages of 18 million barrels per day, South China Morning Post noted that August net diesel exports from Gulf producers remained at roughly a quarter of their previous volume.^2,7