Iran threatens to close Red Sea shipping lanes amid escalating tensions with the US

As of July 2026, tensions between the United States and Iran have reached a critical point following military strikes on February 28. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed until US military operations cease, while threatening further blockades of vital energy export routes. Reports from Reuters indicate that Tehran has instructed its Houthi allies in Yemen to be prepared to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea if the US attacks Iranian energy infrastructure. President Donald Trump has suggested potential strikes on Iranian power plants and bridges, while proposing a 20% tax on vessels using the Strait of Hormuz. Data from Vortexa reveals that over 130 vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf as maritime traffic faces significant disruption. Experts note that the Red Sea has become a primary alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, making a potential closure there a major threat to global energy security. Meanwhile, Iran maintains that the Strait of Hormuz is a red line and has warned of retaliation for any foreign interference.