Iran says Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened to US ships

In March 2026, an Iranian Expediency Council member stated that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed to US ships, demanding their removal from the Gulf. The statement comes after US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply, has been largely halted since the strikes. The closure impacts global oil transportation and regional tensions between Iran and the US. The reason for the continued closure is likely related to the recent strikes and ongoing geopolitical tensions.