Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy targeted three oil tankers and three vessels linked to the United States in the Strait of Hormuz on September 6, accusing them of using unauthorized routes. The strait handles roughly 20% of global oil and gas shipments and normally sees about 130 vessels pass daily. Its narrow shipping lanes make it a critical chokepoint for crude exports from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE and Qatar. The IRGC described the operation as retaliation for previous US strikes on three Iranian oil tankers, one of which reportedly sank in the Gulf of Oman after IRGC forces launched missiles at US Navy warships. US Central Command confirmed its airstrikes against Iranian vessels. Iranian spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari threatened further attacks on US vessels if what Tehran calls a blockade of Iranian shipping continues. Traffic has fallen sharply below its normal level, while the IRGC has warned vessels against using waterways it considers unauthorized. The disruption has pushed up oil transportation costs and war-risk insurance premiums, with some shipping companies avoiding the strait. Lower flows through Hormuz could support higher oil prices because Brent crude is sensitive to supply disruptions in the region. Iran regards control of the waterway as a major strategic lever, while keeping it open has been a cornerstone of US naval doctrine since the 1980s.