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IRGC declares Strait of Hormuz closed after tankers hit - Middle East Eye
Middle East Eye · October 17, 2026 · Week 2026-42
Summary
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reportedly declared the Strait of Hormuz closed following attacks on oil tankers. This represents a major military escalation that would effectively blockade maritime oil and LNG exports from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Iraq, triggering a severe global energy crisis and a likely spike in prices.
Strategic Implication
The closure of this critical chokepoint would halt a substantial portion of global seaborne oil and LNG trade, creating an immediate and severe physical supply shock.