Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps declares Strait of Hormuz closed and threatens to set passing vessels ablaze

The IRGC claims the Strait of Hormuz is closed and threatens to set vessels ablaze, while US CENTCOM maintains the vital oil route remains open.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 3, 2026, 9:16 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Times of Israel

Explicit threats to maritime traffic

Ebrahim Jabari, a senior adviser to the Revolutionary Guard's commander-in-chief, issued a formal declaration through Iranian state media stating that the Strait of Hormuz is now closed. Jabari warned that any vessels attempting to navigate the narrow waterway would be "set ablaze" by the combined forces of the Revolutionary Guards and the regular Iranian navy. This statement represents the most aggressive escalation regarding Hormuz shipping since the initial closure claims made by the force on Saturday.

Disputed status of the waterway

Despite the declarations from Tehran, the United States military has offered a contradictory assessment of the situation. US Central Command (CENTCOM) reportedly confirmed that the strait remained open to international shipping as of Monday. The conflicting reports have created significant uncertainty for global shipping companies and oil markets, which rely on the passage of approximately 20 percent of the world’s daily oil consumption through the 33-kilometer-wide chokepoint.

Drone attacks on commercial shipping

The Revolutionary Guards have already claimed responsibility for an attack on a commercial vessel within the strait. According to a formal statement, the oil tanker ATHE NOVA, described by Iran as an American-allied vessel, was struck by two drones and caught fire. These strikes are characterized by Tehran as retaliation for the joint US-Israeli military campaign that began on February 28. The Guard's actions effectively fulfill long-standing threats to weaponize the waterway in response to direct attacks on the Islamic Republic’s territory or leadership.