More than 50 oil tankers are speeding through the Strait of Hormuz, fearing a blockade by Iran that could begin as early as today, June 22, 2025, according to regional sources. This is reported by international media, citing data from shipping companies and satellite monitoring. The threat to close the strait, through which about 20% of the world's oil passes, was Tehran's response to recent US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities. The move has sharply escalated tensions in the Middle East, threatening the global economy.

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea, is a key route for oil exports from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Iraq. According to the Vortexa analytical agency, the strait has seen abnormally high activity in the past 24 hours as tankers rush to deliver cargo before it is likely to be closed. Iran, which controls the northern coast of the strait, has repeatedly threatened to block shipping if the conflict escalates. According to the Iranian Mehr news agency, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducted exercises, practicing mining the strait and attacks on tankers using speedboats and anti-ship missiles.

The conflict, which began in June 2025 with Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure, has escalated into a series of mutual attacks. The United States, supporting Israel, struck Iran’s nuclear facilities, which provoked retaliatory missile attacks on Israeli cities. Now Tehran threatens not only American military bases, but also sea routes vital to global trade. According to Western media, Iran has an arsenal of anti-ship missiles such as the Noor and Qader, as well as drones capable of striking ships at a considerable distance.