Your iPhone is about to get more expensive — and so will gasoline, chemicals, and fertilizers. Iran announced yesterday it's banning the transport of American weapons through the Strait of Hormuz — the waterway where 20% of the world's oil and $600 billion in energy transit annually, according to US Energy Information Administration data. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"In 2025, about 20 million barrels of oil and oil products passed through the Strait of Hormuz per day, according to estimates from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). That is nearly $600bn (£447bn) worth of energy trade per year. The oil comes not only from Iran but other Gulf states such as Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. About 20% of global LNG is also shipped through the strait"
Iranian Army spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said "from now on, we will not allow American weapons to transit the Strait of Hormuz and enter regional bases," according to state-run PressTV. Iran has divided strategic control of the strait: the western part is under command of the Revolutionary Guard Navy (IRGC), while the eastern section is controlled by the Iranian Army Navy. ✓
Press quotes (2)
""From now on, we will not allow American weapons to transit the Strait of Hormuz and enter regional bases," Army spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said on Wednesday."
"According to Akraminia, the western part of the strait is under the command of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy, while its eastern section is controlled by the Islamic Republic of Iran Army's Navy."
The decision comes two and a half months after the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, killed at age 86 in joint US-Israeli attacks on February 28, 2026, as reported by the Associated Press. Since then, Iran has effectively blocked traffic through the strait, causing global fuel price spikes — from about 3,000 ships per month, the number has dropped dramatically due to Iranian threats to attack tankers. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who assembled theocratic power in Iran over the decades as its top leader and sought to turn it into a regional powerhouse, bringing it into confrontation with Israel and the United States over its nuclear program while crushing democracy protests, has been killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes. He was 86. Iranian state media reported the death early Sunday, after a major attack launched by Israel and the United States."
"About 3,000 ships usually sail through the strait each month but this dramatically decreased during recent hostilities, with Iran threatening to attack tankers and other ships."
Meanwhile, Iranian officials offered 50 million euros for "actions" against President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and US Central Command (Centcom) commanders, "in retaliation for the death of the Iranian leader," said Iranian Parliament National Security Committee Chairman Ebrahim Azizi to PressTV. IRGC Navy deputy Saeed Siahsorani directly threatened Trump: "If America and Trump personally want to do something stupid, we will turn the Persian Gulf into the largest blue graveyard of American marines." ✓
Press quotes (2)
"outra proposta prevê o pagamento de € 50 milhões pelo governo do país por ações contra Trump e Netanyahu, e os comandantes do Comando Central americano (Centcom, na sigla em inglês) em retaliação pela morte do líder iraniano Seyyed Ali Khamenei em fevereiro"
""If America and Trump personally want to do something stupid, we will turn the Persian Gulf into the largest blue graveyard of American marines," Siahsorani said."
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
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How does Iran plan to operationally prevent US weapons transit through the strait?
Why it's still unknown: Iranian authorities announced the ban but didn't detail enforcement mechanisms
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What is the status of succession in Iran following Khamenei's death?
Why it's still unknown: Sources consulted don't specify who assumed supreme command since February
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What legal basis does Iran claim for completely controlling strait transit?
Why it's still unknown: While maritime law allows control of territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles, it's unclear if this authorizes cargo inspection