Iran blocks Strait of Hormuz unless U.S. lifts sanctions

Iran has warned that it will not lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after learning the United States is preparing to resume military action against Tehran. The Iranian foreign ministry said the channel would stay closed until the U.S. meets conditions it has outlined for lifting sanctions and addressing its nuclear programme. The warning comes as Washington has repeatedly threatened to use force if Iran does not comply with a new set of sanctions imposed last year.

The dispute is rooted in a decade‑long standoff that escalated after the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 and re‑imposed tariffs on Iranian oil and financial transactions. Tehran has responded by expanding its missile fleet, conducting nuclear‑related tests, and threatening the shipping lanes that carry roughly 20 % of global oil. The Strait of Hormuz is a choke point where about 20–25 % of world oil passes, making any closure a global economic shock.

In its statement, Iran cited U.S. “unilateral” moves that it says threaten regional security. Washington, meanwhile, has said it will “take decisive action” if Iran continues to violate the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The U.S. State Department has warned that any further Iranian provocations could trigger a military response. Meanwhile, Gulf shipping companies have urged the United Nations to intervene, and OPEC members have called for calm to avoid a spike in oil prices.

If the U.S. follows through on its threat, the next weeks could see a rapid escalation of sanctions and potential air or naval strikes near the Strait. Iran could maintain its blockade, forcing shipping companies to reroute through the longer and more expensive Malacca Strait. Diplomats in Washington and Tehran are reportedly preparing contingency plans, but both sides appear reluctant to back down. The situation remains volatile, with global markets already reacting to the possibility of a new flare‑up in the region.