In a sharp escalation following recent US airstrikes on its nuclear facilities, Iran on Monday threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz — a vital waterway for global oil and gas shipments — a move that could trigger a major spike in international energy prices.

Brigadier General Alireza Tangsiri, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, announced that the strategic strait “will be closed within a few hours,” warning of serious repercussions for global trade and energy flows.

“The Strait of Hormuz will be shut down completely if aggression against our sovereignty continues,” Gen. Tangsiri said in a televised statement. “Iran will not allow its territorial integrity to be violated without a firm response.”

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, is one of the most critical chokepoints in global energy logistics. It is only 21 to 52 nautical miles wide but handles nearly 25% of the world’s oil shipments and 33% of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. Any disruption to its navigability is expected to send shockwaves through global energy markets.

Major oil-exporting countries — including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, the UAE, and Qatar — depend on the strait to transport oil and gas, particularly to Asian economies like China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, which account for 76% of these exports.

Global oil prices reacted immediately to the threat. Brent crude rose over 6% in early Asian trading, while WTI crude futures also saw a sharp climb, amid fears of supply bottlenecks and shipping disruptions.

Energy analysts warned that a prolonged closure of the strait could drive oil prices well beyond $100 per barrel, disrupt global supply chains, and strain relations between major economies.

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“This is not just a regional crisis anymore — it’s a global economic flashpoint,” said Dr. Noura Hadad, an energy markets expert at the Institute of Strategic Studies in London. “Even the threat of closure creates panic in the market. If the shutdown becomes a reality, we are looking at a potentially historic energy shock.”

The United States has not yet formally responded to Iran’s latest threat, but Pentagon officials have reportedly placed naval assets in the region on high alert.