00:18Tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply after Iran declared it has closed
00:24the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical oil choke points.
00:30And warned that any vessel attempting to pass would be set ablaze.
00:35Abraham Jabari, a senior advisor to the Commander-in-Chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,
00:42was quoted by state media as saying the strait is closed and that Revolutionary Guard and
00:49Navy forces would set ships on fire if they tried to cross.
00:53The warning comes after a dramatic escalation following U.S. and Israeli strikes targeting
01:00Iranian leadership and military assets.
01:04Tehran framed the move as part of its retaliation and broader defensive posture.
01:09However, conflicting accounts quickly followed.
01:13A senior U.S. military official told American media that Iran was not actively patrolling
01:19or enforcing a closure of the waterway.
01:22At the same time, the European Union's naval mission, a speed-aise, confirmed that vessels
01:28in the region had received radio warnings from Iran's Revolutionary Guards stating that no
01:34ships were permitted to pass.
01:37The Strait of Hormuz sits between Iran and Oman, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of
01:43Oman and the Arabian Sea. Though relatively narrow, it carries around one-fifth of the
01:49world's daily oil supply. It is the main export route from major Gulf producers including Saudi Arabia,
01:57Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iran. Any sustained disruption here could send oil prices
02:05soaring, disrupt global shipping lanes and trigger economic ripple effects far beyond the region.
02:12Reports also indicate that some vessels were struck amid the escalation.
02:18Iran's Revolutionary Guards claim they attacked an allegedly U.S.-linked oil tanker, stating
02:24that the ATH Nova was hit by drones and left burning. There has been no official confirmation
02:31from Washington regarding that claim.
02:34Meanwhile, shipping traffic in and around the Strait has slowed dramatically. Hundreds of vessels
02:40are reportedly caught in a growing backlog. Industry leaders warn that cargo delays could soon impact
02:47major ports across Asia and Europe, potentially disrupting supply chains and increasing costs
02:54worldwide. Energy analysts caution that even the perception of instability in Hormuz can move global markets.
03:03oil traders closely monitor military movements, naval deployments and insurance risks tied
03:10to transit through the corridor. The Strait of Hormuz has long been a flashpoint in regional tensions. Iran has
03:17previously threatened to close it during periods of sanctions or confrontation, but a prolonged blockade would
03:24likely provoke a multinational response given the waterways' strategic importance. For now, uncertainty
03:32dominates. Military assets remain on alert, diplomatic channels are strained, and global markets are watching
03:40every development. The situation remains fluid and the world is watching closely.
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