International RelationsSecurity
News 13 of 31

Iran Blocks Strait of Hormuz, Threatens Bab el-Mandeb as US Reimposes Naval Blockade

Intl. RelationsSecurity & DefenceEconomyCORE
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
15 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:~20% global oil/gas$200/barrel oil price risk20% shipping fee proposal (scrapped)7 commercial ships attacked
Bodies:IRGCUS Central CommandUS Fifth FleetHouthi groupPress TV
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Iran's IRGC shut the Strait of Hormuz; US reimposed naval blockade of Iranian ports.

2.Houthi allies threaten to close Bab el-Mandeb Strait, risking oil prices up to $200/barrel.

3.US launched fresh strikes targeting Iranian capabilities near the Strait of Hormuz.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

Iran has shut the Strait of Hormuz and the US has reimposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports, escalating a conflict that threatens global energy supplies. Iran's Houthi allies in Yemen are also threatening to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which could send oil prices soaring to $200 a barrel. This is critical for exams as it tests knowledge of global chokepoints, maritime security, and the geopolitics of energy.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Strait ClosedStrait of Hormuz
Threatened StraitBab el-Mandeb
Oil Price Risk$200/barrel
US Military CommandUS Central Command (CENTCOM)
Iranian ForceIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
Oil/Gas Through Hormuz~1/5th of global shipments daily
US Fee Proposal (scrapped)20% fee on shipping through strait

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Strait Closed: Strait of Hormuz
  • ›Threatened Strait: Bab el-Mandeb
  • ›Target this Data: Strait of Hormuz carries ~20% of global oil/gas; Bab el-Mandeb is the other threatened chokepoint.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: US Central Command (CENTCOM) and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
  • ›Target this Legal Point: UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) regarding transit passage through straits used for international navigation.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which branch of Iran's armed forces is responsible for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as mentioned in the news?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements:

1. The Strait of Hormuz is the only vital energy artery threatened in this conflict.

2. The Houthi group in Yemen is an ally of Iran.

3. The US Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the news, what percentage of global oil and gas shipments passed through the Strait of Hormuz daily before the conflict?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective of the US military strikes mentioned in the news?

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