Despite Iran's official declaration on July 12, 2026, that the Strait of Hormuz is closed, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has stated that the southern route remains available and has been expanded to accommodate two-way traffic. UKMTO maintains the maritime security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz at "severe." This announcement comes after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy said it closed the strait following an incident where a vessel allegedly ignored navigation orders and was struck by warning fire. The Revolutionary Guard intends to keep the strait closed until "US interference in the region" ends, a stance the US is actively opposing.
Iran's actions, including strikes on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, contradict a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the US last month. This MoU, brokered by Pakistan in June, aimed to end the war that began in late February and establish lasting peace, including the reopening of the Strait. However, the US and Iran have exchanged attacks this week over commercial traffic through the strait, with the US striking targets in Iran and Iran retaliating against US assets.
The US views the Strait's unrestricted reopening as crucial and is applying a combination of economic and increased military pressure on Iran. Experts like Wolfgang Pusztai, a former Austrian defense attaché, believe that while military pressure is currently necessary, long-term economic pressure will be more effective. The closure of the Strait, a passage for 20% of the world's energy needs, could have catastrophic global economic impacts if interruptions lasted for an extended period. US officials are demanding that Iran publicly commit to ceasing attacks on ships and ensuring all lanes in the strait are open without tolls.
