Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval commander Alireza Tangsiri said today, June 22, 2025, that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed "within hours" in response to ongoing attacks by the United States and Israel. The statement was seen as an immediate threat to the security of the key route through which about 20% of the world's oil passes. The decision was a response to recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities including Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, which have sharply escalated tensions in the Middle East.

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, is a vital corridor for oil exports from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Iraq. Tangsiri stressed that Iran would use its forces, including speedboats and anti-ship missiles, to implement the blockade plan. According to Iran's Mehr news agency, the IRGC recently conducted exercises near the strait, practicing mining the waters and attacking large vessels using drones. Experts believe that Tehran may also use Khalij Fars-class missiles, which can hit targets up to 300 kilometers away.

The conflict escalated after the US struck Iranian nuclear facilities with bunker buster bombs and cruise missiles on the night of June 22. Israel, which backs Washington, had previously attacked Iranian infrastructure, prompting a retaliatory missile attack on Israeli cities. Iran sees the closure of the strait as strategic leverage to force the US and its allies to negotiate. According to Western sources, Tehran has already deployed additional air defense forces in coastal areas, including Abu Musa Island, to protect the operation.

Military tensions are rising in the region. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, whose oil terminals depend on the strait, have put their armed forces on high alert. The U.S. fleet in the Gulf, including the destroyer USS Cole, has stepped up patrols in preparation for a possible escalation, Reuters reported. Analysts say a blockade, even a short one, could cause significant disruptions to oil supplies, which has already raised concerns among energy companies.

Iran has begun preparing for a potential U.S. response. Local sources say port security has been beefed up in coastal cities like Bandar Abbas and civilians have been partially evacuated. At the same time, Iranian engineers have been upgrading missile launchers near the strait, as captured on satellite images from ImageSat International. These actions indicate Tehran’s intent to consolidate control over the area.

Analysts say the decision to close the strait demonstrates Iran’s strategic courage, despite the economic hardships caused by sanctions. Tehran hopes to use the blockade as a tool for pressure, but it could provoke a massive military response from the US and its allies. In Yemen, Iran-backed Houthis have also threatened to attack shipping in the Red Sea, which could further threaten trade routes. Diplomatic overtures, such as India’s mediation, have so far failed to produce results, leaving the region teetering on the brink of a full-scale war.