Iranian armed forces announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday in response to Israeli military attacks on southern Lebanon [1, 2].

The move threatens one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, where a significant portion of the global oil supply passes between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman [1, 2].

Iranian military leadership said the decision to shut the waterway is a direct retaliation for continued Israeli strikes within Lebanese territory [1, 2]. The announcement follows a series of attacks on southern Lebanon reported on June 20, which resulted in at least 16 deaths [1].

Specific casualties were reported in the Sidon district, where an Israeli strike in Marwaniyeh killed at least four people [3]. These events have escalated tensions across the region, leading Iran to leverage its control over the strategic waterway to pressure Israel into halting its operations [1, 2].

The Strait of Hormuz serves as the primary artery for petroleum exports from the Gulf. Any prolonged closure or disruption of traffic typically triggers immediate volatility in global energy markets and prompts international naval responses to ensure the freedom of navigation [1, 2].

Regarding the predictability of the escalation, Inge Vrancken said, "Het stond in de sterren geschreven" [1].

“Iranian armed forces announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz”

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz represents a significant escalation in the shadow war between Iran and Israel. By linking the security of a global energy corridor to the conflict in Lebanon, Iran is utilizing economic leverage to deter Israeli military action. This strategy risks drawing global superpowers into a direct confrontation to maintain the flow of oil, potentially transforming a regional conflict into a global economic crisis.