Iran closes Strait of Hormuz in serious blow to US

After US and Israel commenced unprovoked strikes on Iran — launched in the middle of what Washington described as “positive negotiations” — the an all-out war has exploded. The strikes across Iran targeted many residential neighbourhoods. An all-female school was hit, killing at least 85. A sports centre was struck, killing at least 20 volleyball players.

Iran responded by pounding Israeli positions and targeting US-linked military assets in Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait — and reportedly beyond.

And now, Tehran has moved to close the Strait of Hormuz.

This did not happen during last year’s 12-day war. Despite enduring heavy blows, Iran fell short of targeting the artery through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil flows. This time, it didn’t shy away.

The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow maritime passage through which Gulf oil reaches global markets. It is also one of the most militarised waterways on the planet, with the US Navy stationed primarily in Bahrain and along the western shore. The Iranian navy are stationed on the other side.

US empire runs on oil, and oil runs through Hormuz

To be clear: Iran is not a romantic anti-colonial liberation movement. It is a state actor pursuing its own survival and leverage. But structurally, this move exposes something the empire prefers to keep invisible — its prosperity always depends on compliance from the Global South.

The last time Hormuz was seriously threatened was during the “Tanker War” phase of the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, when shipping was attacked by both sides but the strait was never fully shut. In 2011–2012, Tehran threatened closure in response to sanctions. In 2019, it seized tankers amid rising tensions after the US withdrew from the nuclear deal. But it never fully closed the strait.

Even during last year’s short but intense 12 day war, Hormuz remained open. This time appears to be different.

The strait is the most significant oil chokepoint in the world, with around a fifth of global oil output passing through it, and a third of global liquified natural gas.

The economic consequences will be felt immediately, and that is the point. Oil prices will spike. Shipping insurance will surge. Inflation globally will rise. Western consumers will feel it almost instantly.

For the West, war has always been a far away, distant ordeal. Now it will be represented at your local supermarket and petrol station.

That is why this move matters for Iran

More than 2 years of genocide, the disruption in the West was only felt through mass protests on the streets and Palestinian flags hung from windows, and so on. But economic disruption is going to be much harder to ignore.

Closing Hormuz hurts everyone — including countries in Asia and the Global South that rely on Gulf energy. That’s true. But it is likely going to shorten the lifespan of this war as the cost of war just became much more expensive.

Featured image via Twitter