Iran insists Strait of Hormuz remains closed as war enters seventh month

Investing.com — Iran said Sunday it is in no hurry to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, keeping pressure on global energy markets as the six-month war with the United States continues and diplomatic efforts struggle to gain traction, Al Jazeera reported.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the strategic waterway remains closed, reinforcing Tehran’s position that it retains leverage over one of the world’s most important oil and gas transit routes.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also maintained that it controls passage through the strait and accused U.S. officials of making misleading statements about shipping conditions in an attempt to influence energy prices.

The latest comments follow conflicting claims from Washington and Tehran over whether commercial shipping has effectively resumed. Restricted traffic through Hormuz has remained one of the most significant economic consequences of the conflict, contributing to elevated oil prices and disruptions to regional trade.

Diplomatic efforts are continuing. Iraq is seeking to act as a bridge between Tehran and Washington, according to Qasim al-Araji, security adviser to Iraq’s prime minister, as regional governments look for ways to revive negotiations.

The Trump administration is meanwhile intensifying economic pressure on Iran, with President Donald Trump threatening what has been described as “total economic warfare.” The measures add to an existing sanctions campaign aimed at restricting Tehran’s access to international trade and financial markets.

The wider conflict is also reshaping regional defense and energy policy. Greece and Israel are expected to sign agreements on Monday for the $3.4 billion “Achilles’ Shield” air and missile defense system, combining existing Greek Patriot systems and drones with Israeli-made platforms.

Syria is separately seeking to revive its damaged oil industry and resume exports as higher energy prices caused by the war increase the economic importance of domestic production. Limited refining capacity and fuel shortages continue to weigh on Syrian transport, food costs and industrial activity.

The conflict continues to spill into other parts of the region, with tensions remaining high across Gaza, Lebanon and the occupied West Bank.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a central risk for markets. Any prolonged closure could keep crude supplies constrained, while a credible reopening or renewed diplomatic breakthrough could ease some of the pressure on oil prices.

Related articles

Iran insists Strait of Hormuz remains closed as war enters seventh month

Citi pushes back Fed rate cuts to May after blowout January jobs report

As Claude disrupts stock market, Anthropic researcher warns ‘world is in peril’