IRGC tell ships passage through Strait of Hormuz ‘not allowed’
Ships in the Gulf reported receiving messages warning that no ships were allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to EU and UK agencies, although Iran has not confirmed any closures.
An official with the European Union naval mission Aspides said Saturday that ships operating in the Gulf had received VHF radio messages from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards stating that “no ships are allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz.”
The official, who spoke with Reuters speaking on condition of anonymity, said Iran had not officially confirmed it had issued such an order.
Britain’s Maritime Trade Operations Agency (UKMTO) separately said it had received several reports from ships in the Gulf that they had been informed of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The UKMTO added that there was no immediate confirmation from Iranian authorities.
The world’s most vital oil export route
The Strait of Hormuz is considered the world’s most vital oil export route, serving as a critical chokepoint connecting the Gulf’s major oil producers, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. About a fifth of global oil consumption passes through this narrow waterway.
A boat approaches the Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged container ship Marsa Victory as it sails in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz off Khasab in the northern Musandam Peninsula of Oman on June 25, 2025. (credit: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images)
Iran has threatened for years to block the Strait of Hormuz in response to attacks or increased pressure against the Islamic Republic, although it has never carried out a complete closure.
Maritime and security officials have repeatedly warned that even limited disruptions to traffic in the strait could have significant consequences for the global economy and energy market.
