Iran Shuts Hormuz Strait For US, Israel And West But Not China. What About India?

Last Updated:March 05, 2026, 19:32 IST

Iran said any ships belonging to the United States, Israel, Europe "and their supporters" spotted in the waterway "will certainly be hit."

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps formally announced that the Strait of Hormuz is closed to vessels from the United States, Israel, Europe and their Western allies- a declaration that has sent fresh shockwaves through global energy markets and raises urgent questions for India, one of the world’s largest importers of Gulf oil.

The announcement was made through Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB.

“We had previously said that, based on international laws and resolutions, in times of war, the Islamic Republic of Iran will have the right to control the passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the IRGC said.

Any ships belonging to the United States, Israel, Europe “and their supporters" spotted in the waterway “will certainly be hit," the statement warned.

Tehran framed the announcement as being consistent with international law, stating that Iran reserves the right to regulate passage through the strait during wartime. That claim is contested. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Strait of Hormuz is subject to the right of transit passage- meaning all ships, including warships, are entitled to pass through freely. Iran has historically disputed this interpretation, arguing that its domestic law takes precedence over the strait’s waters.

Read more: Trump Is Bombing Iran Without A War Declaration. Can A US President Get Away With It?

Iran’s China Exemption For Hormuz But What About India?

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway- at its narrowest point roughly 33 kilometres wide- that sits between Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south. It is the sole sea exit for ports across the Persian Gulf, making it the single most critical chokepoint in global energy infrastructure.

The strait carries roughly one-fifth of all oil transported by sea worldwide. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq and Qatar- among the world’s largest oil exporters- can only move their crude to international markets by passing through it. There is no alternative maritime route.

Iran indicated it would permit only Chinese-flagged vessels to use the strait- describing the move as a gesture of appreciation for Beijing’s position towards Tehran since the conflict began.

India imports over 85% of its crude oil requirements and sources a significant portion of that from the Gulf owing to which Hormuz strait is crucial for the country. New Delhi has been engaged in active diplomacy, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar speaking with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi for the second time on Thursday.

News world Iran Shuts Hormuz Strait For US, Israel And West But Not China. What About India?

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