Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz Again, Citing US Port Blockade

Iran has reversed its earlier decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and has again tightened control over the strategic waterway. Iranian authorities said the closure was a response to an ongoing blockade of Iranian ports by the United States. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical shipping route through which approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies pass, connecting the Persian Gulf with international waters. Any disruption to traffic through the strait typically raises concerns about global energy supplies and shipping costs, as it serves as a key chokepoint for oil exports from Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran itself.