
Brussels [Belgium], June 22 (ANI): In the aftermath of U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear facilities, Iran is reportedly considering closing the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints—according to a report by EuroNews on Sunday. A blockade of the Strait by Tehran would pose severe risks to global energy markets and could significantly impact European economies, the report warns.
Revolutionary Guard commander and Iranian lawmaker Sardar Esmail Kowsari told local media that the option of closing the Strait is “under consideration,” and that Iran would make a decision “with determination.”
“Our hands are wide open when it comes to punishing the enemy, and the military response was only part of our overall response,” Kowsari said, signaling further escalations could follow.
Earlier on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that the U.S. had conducted “very successful” precision strikes on Iran’s underground nuclear sites in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.
According to EuroNews, Iran possesses the military capabilities to disrupt maritime operations in the Strait. Its short- and medium-range missiles could target oil infrastructure platforms, pipelines, and even commercial vessels passing through the waterway. Surface-to-surface missiles could strike tankers or Gulf ports, while airstrikes by drones or aircraft could disable critical navigation or radar equipment at shipping hubs in the region.
Iran’s fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles, including Shahed drones, could potentially be deployed to attack specific vessels or infrastructure along the Strait. Iran may also attempt to physically block access using warships.
In addition to conventional warfare tactics, Iran has previously demonstrated cyber capabilities. In 2012, the regime launched a cyberattack on Saudi Arabia’s oil industry, highlighting its ability to wage asymmetric warfare in the energy sector.
Blocking the Strait of Hormuz has long been considered one of Iran’s strategic options during periods of heightened tension with the West. Claude Moniquet, a European security analyst and former French intelligence officer, told EuroNews that such a move would have dire consequences for Europe.
“It would be a disaster for Europe,” Moniquet warned, adding that possible Iranian responses could also include cyberattacks or terrorist activities on European soil.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global energy corridor, with roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and a substantial volume of liquefied natural gas (LNG) passing through it. Much of Europe’s energy imports from Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE transit through the narrow waterway. Any disruption could lead to a sharp spike in oil prices and cause fuel shortages, particularly in nations heavily dependent on Middle Eastern energy supplies.
As tensions mount in the region, global markets and diplomatic channels remain on high alert for further developments. (ANI)