Iran warns of completely closing the strait of Hormuz
In this Sunday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued this warning in a statement. In the IRGC statement, it was said that if Iran’s nuclear power plants are targeted, the Strait of Hormuz will be “completely” closed. It will remain closed until the facilities are rebuilt.
The statement further added that if Iran’s power plants are attacked, “massive attacks” will be carried out on Israel’s power plants, energy infrastructure, and information and communication technology installations. In addition, companies in the region that have U.S. ownership will also be “completely destroyed.”
The IRGC also stated that the power plants of countries in the region that host U.S. military bases will be considered legitimate targets.
Since the joint U.S.-Israel attack on February 28, Iran has nearly shut down the Strait of Hormuz. No ship or tanker has been able to pass through this one of the world’s most important waterways without Iran’s permission.
As a result, extreme instability has emerged in the international energy market. The price of crude oil per barrel has exceeded $100.
The United States is taking various measures to stabilize the market. At the same time, it is repeatedly threatening Iran to ensure that no obstacles are created to ship movement in the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Iran has repeatedly stated that until the attacks stop, no ship belonging to or associated with the United States or Israel will be allowed to pass through Hormuz. If they attempt to pass, they will be attacked.
Today, Iran’s news agency Mehr News, citing Ali Mousavi, the country’s representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of the United Nations, reported that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all types of vessels under appropriate security and safety conditions. However, no vessel associated with “enemy” countries will be granted this access. The Strait has been nearly closed mainly due to the U.S.-Israel attacks.
Meanwhile, for keeping the Strait open, Trump has repeatedly requested NATO allies to send warships there. However, most countries have said they are not prepared to send warships to Hormuz under the current situation.
On Thursday of last week, The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Japan announced that they are willing to work toward an agreement on "appropriate efforts" aimed at ensuring safe and secure passage of vessels through the almost entirely blocked ‘Strait of Hormuz’. But, Still they haven’t take any action yet.
If you look at this situation, there is tremendous potential for it to escalate into a serious geopolitical crisis as nations involved in this process appear to be utilizing strategic bodies of water (like the Strait of Hormuz) to gain leverage during this conflict. Iran's aggressive posture seems to indicate that it is prepared to impose somene of the most significant and far-reaching economic and military responses for engaging with the global economy and potentially significantly disrupting the global supply of energy, while also causing additional instability to international financial systems.
Based on our opinion, additionally, the lack of decisiveness by NATO's partners in the form of additional military support for an actual conflict suggests an unwillingness on the part of these nations to deepen their military commitment. This highlights a serious risk of expanding the scope of potential conflict.
In general, the current crisis demonstrates how regional disputes can quickly expand to become significant threats to the global economy and global security when there is no emphasis placed on finding diplomatic solutions.