Iran's Revolutionary Guard warned of a "total closure" of the Strait of Hormuz if the United States attacks Iranian power plants, following an ultimatum from US President Donald Trump. This escalation occurs amid an ongoing Middle East war, which has already caused a 95% drop in maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.
Key points
- US President Donald Trump gave Iran a 48-hour deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to destroy Iran's energy infrastructure.
- Iran's potential retaliation includes a complete closure of the Strait until its power plants are rebuilt, and generalized attacks on Israeli energy and IT infrastructure.
- Maritime traffic in the strait, which normally sees about 120 crossings daily, dropped by 95% between March 1st and 21st, according to Kepler data.
- At least eight sailors or port workers have been killed and four remain missing since the conflict began, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
- The IMO estimates around 20,000 mariners are currently stranded in the region, with at least 3,200 vessels present.
Why it matters
The potential full closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for nearly one-fifth of the world's crude oil and LNG, signals a dangerous escalation in the ongoing Middle East conflict.
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