March 22, 2026 – Strait of Hormuz – Iran’s military has threatened to completely close the strategic Strait of Hormuz if the United States acts on its threats to target Iranian power plants.
The warning comes as US President Donald Trump gave Iran 48 hours to reopen the strait, which has been effectively closed since the war erupted on February 28 following US-Israeli bombardment of Iranian territory. The conflict has since escalated across the Middle East, with Iran responding with drone and missile attacks on Israel and US interests in the region.
“If the United States’ threats regarding Iran’s power plants are carried out, the Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed and will not reopen until our destroyed power plants are rebuilt,” the Khatam Al-Anbiya operational command said in a statement broadcast on state television.
The military also warned it would strike Israel’s power plants, energy facilities, and ICT infrastructure, as well as power plants in regional countries hosting US bases or companies with US shareholders, claiming the measures are necessary “to defend our country and national interests.”
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route, handling around 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Since the war began, traffic through the strait has nearly halted, with only about five percent of pre-war vessel volume managing to transit, according to analytics firm Kpler.
Iranian forces have reportedly attacked multiple vessels they claim ignored warnings. In recent days, they have allowed passage to some ships from nations considered friendly, while threatening to block those from countries involved in what Tehran calls “aggression” against Iran.
Iran’s parliament is also considering imposing tolls on shipping through the strait. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that maritime traffic would “not return to its pre-war status.”
