Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to all maritime traffic, marking a sharp escalation in regional tensions.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced the closure early Sunday, stating it was enforcing strict transit rules after firing a warning shot at a vessel attempting to cross the waterway via an unauthorized route.
The declaration comes as the IRGC Navy asserts control over the narrow passage, which handles roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply.
The military unit reported that the warning shot was fired at a ship that failed to adhere to designated transit corridors, prompting the broader closure order until further notice.
This development intensifies existing geopolitical pressure on global trade routes.
The closure follows a period of heightened scrutiny and risk in the region, with the US previously setting a deadline for Iran to halt attacks on shipping.