Iran threatens to burn ships entering Strait of Hormuz
Mar 2nd 2026
An IRGC senior official said on March 2 that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and that Iranian forces will set fire to any ship attempting to transit, a move that risks disrupting about 20% of the world’s oil shipments.
- A Revolutionary Guards adviser said the Strait of Hormuz is closed and that forces will set ships ablaze if they try to pass.
- About 20% of global daily oil consumption transits the strait, making the closure a major threat to energy supplies.
- The warning follows US and Israeli strikes on February 28 aimed at toppling Iran’s leaders, according to reports.
- Iran has fired missile barrages at Gulf states hosting US forces and launched strikes at the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
- Shipping was already disrupted by drone and missile attacks from Iran-aligned Houthi militants in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.