Iran's Revolutionary Guard Vows to Halt Crude Shipments for Duration of Conflict

A spokesperson for the Revolutionary Guards announced on Tuesday that Iranian forces will block oil exports to US and Israeli allies as long as the war persists, effectively crippling a crucial aspect of global energy supply.

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This declaration was made by Ali Mohammad Naini, who asserted that not a single litre of oil would be permitted to be exported to hostile nations and their partners until further notice, with any potential changes hinging on the evolving conditions of the conflict.

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The current state of war was sparked on February 28, when the US and Israel launched a series of strikes against Iran, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and igniting a widespread conflict across the Middle East.

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In response to these strikes, Iran has unleashed a barrage of drone and missile attacks targeting Israeli and US interests throughout the region, significantly destabilizing the area.

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The strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which nearly 20 percent of the world's crude oil typically passes, has experienced severe disruptions to shipping traffic since the onset of the war.

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Iranian forces have consistently targeted oil tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz, exacerbating the already volatile situation and contributing to a surge in global oil prices.

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Oil prices have skyrocketed to over $100 per barrel, reaching their highest point since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, before momentarily receding on Monday following an announcement by US President Donald Trump that military operations would soon be drawing to a close.

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According to IRGC spokesman Naini, attempts to manipulate and control oil and gas prices will ultimately prove futile, as trade during wartime is inextricably linked to security concerns.

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In a statement issued late on Monday, the Revolutionary Guards urged countries to expel US and Israeli ambassadors in order to secure unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

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The Guards declared that any Arab or European nation that takes this step will be granted complete freedom to navigate the Strait of Hormuz, starting from the following day, as quoted by Iranian state TV.