Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to unauthorized ships, significantly disrupting a key maritime route that handles about 20% of the world’s crude oil and causing Brent crude prices to surge above $110 per barrel. Iran has enforced this closure by turning back vessels, imposing hefty fees near Larak Island, and is considering formal legislation for these charges, while also hinting at threats to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another critical shipping lane. The closure and ongoing conflict have stranded around 20,000 seafarers in the region, led to casualties, and prompted calls from the UAE for a multinational force to secure the strait and stabilize global energy markets.