Iran has temporarily closed parts of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, as tensions with the United States escalate. Iranian state and semi-official media reported live-fire naval drills in the narrow waterway, with missiles launched from inside Iran and along its coast reportedly striking targets in the strait.
The closure, described by Iranian media as lasting several hours for “safety and maritime concerns”, marks a rare and potentially unprecedented step. Around 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas supplies transit through the strait. Any sustained disruption could send shockwaves through global energy markets and international trade.
