Why Did Iran Shut the Strait of Hormuz, and Why Does It Matter?

Ships queue as IRGC blocks Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN, Feb. 18 (MNA) – The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy blocked the Strait of Hormuz during a war game in the Strip in the Persian Gulf dubbed "Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz" on Tuesday.

Why did Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz, and why does it matter?

Iran closed parts of the Strait of Hormuz for several hours during military drills in February 2026. The waterway handles about 13 million barrels of crude daily, roughly 31 per cent of global seaborne oil flows, making any disruption a major risk to global energy markets

Iran’s IRGC Navy Launches Strait of Hormuz Drills

from Sputnik News: TEHRAN (Sputnik) – The navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched the “Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz” exercise on Monday amid tensions in the Middle East and the US military buildup in the region, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported. The SNN news agency reported that the drills will test […]

IRGC Navy holds drills in Strait of Hormuz for second day

The naval forces of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) is conducting the second day of its naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz.

Hormuz Pressure Play: Iran’s 'Temporary' Closure Sends a Strategic Signal to Global Shipping

Tension in one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints spiked this week after Iran temporarily restricted parts of the Strait of Hormuz during live-fire military exercises, a move that underscored how quickly geopolitics can ripple through global shipping markets even without a full blockade.

Iran shuts down the Strait of Hormuz — What does it mean for Global Oil Markets?

Iran’s temporary closure of parts of the Strait of Hormuz during live-fire military drills has reignited global concerns over energy security, maritime safety, and escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington. While Iranian authorities described the move as a short-term safety measure, the strategic implications of any disruption in this narrow waterway are enormous. The closure […] The post Iran shuts down the Strait of Hormuz — What does …