Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps formally announced that the Strait of Hormuz is closed to vessels from the United States, Israel, Europe and their Western allies- a declaration that raises urgent questions for India, one of the world’s largest importers of Gulf oil.Track LIVE Updates on US-Israel-Iran Warhere

Any ships belonging to the United States, Israel, Europe “and their supporters" spotted in the waterway “will certainly be hit," the IRGC warned.

“We had previously said that, based on international laws and resolutions, in times of war, the Islamic Republic of Iran will have the right to control the passage through the Strait of Hormuz," it said.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway- at its narrowest point roughly 33 kilometres wide- sitting between Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south. It is the sole sea exit for ports across the Persian Gulf, making it the single most critical chokepoint in global energy infrastructure. The strait carries roughly one-fifth of all oil transported by sea worldwide.

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Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq and Qatar- among the world’s largest oil exporters- can only move their crude to international markets by passing through it. There is no alternative maritime route. Tehran framed the closure as consistent with international law, stating that Iran reserves the right to regulate passage through the strait during wartime. That claim is contested.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Strait of Hormuz is subject to the right of transit passage- meaning all ships, including warships, are entitled to pass through freely. Iran has historically disputed this interpretation, arguing that its domestic law takes precedence.

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The China Exception And The India Question

Iran indicated it would permit only Chinese-flagged vessels to use the strait- describing it as a gesture of appreciation for Beijing’s position towards Tehran since the conflict began.

Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News