Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to all maritime traffic, a move that directly contradicts assertions from the United States military that commercial shipping continues to flow through the waterway.
The announcement by Tehran comes amid renewed military strikes between the two nations, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing confrontation over the strategic corridor.
The conflicting narratives create immediate uncertainty for global energy markets and shipping operators.
While the US insists the route remains open, Iran's declaration introduces significant geopolitical risk premiums into freight rates and energy prices.
Traders are likely to price in the potential for actual disruption, even if physical blockades have not yet been confirmed by independent observers.
This development follows earlier reports that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy had announced the closure until further notice.