Oil steadies as Iran denies full Hormuz closure

Is the Strait of Hormuz closed? Iran says no; open to traffic

Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is open to traffic. news/comment.aspx?source=AAFN&id=NOW.1506901&catg=1″ target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener”>According to AASTOCKS, an Iranian military officer stated the waterway has not been blocked and that ships are being handled in line with international agreements.

Conflicting narratives have circulated. as reported by Daily News Egypt, some regional actors discussed rerouting or boosting Red Sea flows to bypass what they described as a blocked strait, but Iran’s military stance rejects a full closure.

Why it matters for shipping, insurance, and global oil markets

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for crude and LNG. Even without a declared shutdown, heightened risk tends to lift war-risk premiums, prompt some rerouting, and tighten voyage schedules for carriers serving global oil markets.

Operational uncertainty can widen voyage spreads and extend laytime, particularly for tankers balancing schedule integrity against security posture. Any selective restrictions could still transmit volatility across energy benchmarks and freight.

Industry reporting points to fewer transits amid elevated caution, alongside higher insurance costs, but not a complete halt. In practice, shipowners weigh security advisories and charter obligations while keeping options open for timing and routing.

The current picture is of degraded but continuing throughput. That helps cap the worst-case supply shock, yet it preserves a risk premium that can persist while messaging from authorities remains mixed.

Reconciling IRGC claims, Haidari’s statement, and institutional guidance

What IRGC and other figures asserted versus Haidari’s clarification

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was cited asserting the strait was closed selectively to vessels from the United States, Israel, and Europe, as reported by NDTV. That contrasts with the senior military line that navigation continues under existing rules.

“Ships are being handled in accordance with relevant agreements,” said Amir Haidari, Deputy Commander of Iran’s Army, as carried by MEXC News. His framing undercuts claims of a blanket closure while leaving room for heightened controls.

What BIMCO, China, and the EU are advising now

According to CNBC, BIMCO has observed a decline in transits through the Strait of Hormuz due to higher perceived risk, alongside increased insurance costs, without confirmation of a complete suspension of passage.

Yahoo News reported that China has urged Iran not to disrupt vessel traffic, reflecting concern over energy supply security and broader economic spillovers.

Euronews noted that the European Union warned against any closure of the strait, arguing that an interruption would carry far‑reaching implications for trade and regional stability.

FAQ about Strait of Hormuz

What did Iran’s Deputy Commander Amir Haidari say and how does it differ from other Iranian statements?

He said the strait is not blocked and traffic continues under agreements, contrasting with selective-closure rhetoric attributed to the IRGC.

How would a partial disruption or selective ban affect global oil and LNG shipments and prices?

It would likely slow loadings, raise war-risk premiums, and add volatility to oil and LNG benchmarks without the full shock of a total shutdown.