Iran has denied reports that it has closed the Strait of Hormuz, calling the claims “baseless and absurd”, as tensions in West Asia continue to escalate following military confrontations involving the United States and Israel.
In a statement posted on the official account of the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, New York, Iran said it remains committed to international law and freedom of navigation. The statement also accused the United States of endangering maritime security in the region.
According to the Iranian mission, the Iranian naval frigate IRIS Dena, which visited India as a naval guest with about 130 sailors onboard, was struck and sunk by a US submarine in international waters without warning. The incident reportedly occurred nearly 2,000 miles from Iran’s shores and resulted in the deaths of more than 100 sailors.
Iran described the alleged attack as reckless and said it violated fundamental principles of international law and freedom of navigation.
The claim that Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz is baseless and absurd. Iran remains committed to international law and freedom of navigation. In reality, it is the U.S. that has endangered maritime security.
Just yesterday, nearly 2,000 miles from Iran’s shores, the Iranian…
— I.R.IRAN Mission to UN, NY (@Iran_UN) March 5, 2026
The clarification comes after earlier reports suggested that Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz and warned oil tankers not to pass through the vital shipping corridor. Iranian officials were quoted by state media as saying that any ships attempting to cross would face action from the country’s Revolutionary Guards and navy.
The strait handles about 20% of the world’s daily oil consumption. At its narrowest point, it is about 33 kilometres (21 miles) wide.
It connects major oil producers — Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates — to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea.
According to analysts, oil markets have reacted nervously, fearing that a prolonged conflict could disrupt global supplies and destabilise one of the world’s most energy-critical corridors.
The closure of Strait of Hormuz follows US and Israeli strikes on Iran aimed at toppling its leadership. In retaliation, Iran launched multiple missile barrages at Gulf states.
Meanwhile, shipowners are seeking more than $200,000 a day for liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers in the Atlantic Basin, almost double the price, as per reports. The surge followed Qatar’s shutdown of LNG production as the conflict with Iran began to spill across the wider region.
Crude oil prices were up 1% higher in early trade on Tuesday. On Monday, prices had surged over 10% as markets reopened amid escalating conflict in West Asia.
Notably, crude prices are significant for India, which imports nearly 90% of its oil requirement. In FY25, India imported oil worth $160 billion.
The United States said it has a plan to counter rising oil prices and protect global shipping lanes as it presses ahead with strikes aimed at crippling Iran’s missile arsenal and naval power.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the US Capitol that markets were reacting to events in the region but insisted Washington had anticipated the fallout.
(With inputs from syndicated feed)
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