Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Iranian authorities are considering a full closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital oil transit routes. This was announced by Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who emphasized that the strait could be shut down as early as 23 June — within just a few hours.

This threat comes in response to U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s strategic nuclear facilities. A representative of the IRGC warned that if attacks on the country’s sovereignty continue, Iran “will be forced to completely close the strait.”

Hossein Shariatmadari, advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also called for the immediate closure of the Strait of Hormuz to ships from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.

The Iranian parliament has likewise voiced the necessity of shutting down the Strait following the U.S. military strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. The final decision must be approved by the Supreme National Security Council.

According to international maritime tracking services, more than 50 vessels began urgently leaving the Strait of Hormuz immediately after the U.S. airstrikes, fearing further escalation.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic chokepoint linking the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Roughly three percent of the world’s daily oil supply passes through it, along with over 90% of the oil exported from the Persian Gulf. The strait is crucial to countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Iran, and Bahrain.

Analysts warn that even a partial restriction of tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a sharp spike in global oil prices — potentially rising to $110–130 per barrel.

According to research firm Vortexa, the largest oil exporter through the Strait is Saudi Arabia, shipping up to 6 million barrels per day. Major consumers of oil from this route include China, India, Japan, South Korea, and the United States, which imports around 700,000 barrels daily through the Strait — roughly 11% of its total oil imports and 3% of its gasoline consumption.

Amid the threat of a shipping blockade, Türkiye has already begun developing alternative routes. The country’s Minister of Transport, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, highlighted the “Middle Corridor” and “Development Road” projects, which aim to transport goods from the region to Europe while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

Preliminary estimates suggest that, once completed, delivery times through the Development Road could be reduced to 25 days, and through the Middle Corridor to just 13 days — significantly lowering logistical risks and easing the burden on maritime transport.