Iran's Revolutionary Guards Halt Six Vessels in Hormuz Strait With Warning Shots

On June 18, Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy stopped six vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz near Bandar Abbas via unauthorized routes, firing warning shots and turning them back, according to Iranian state TV and an AFP photo showing anchored vessels. This follows Saturday's interception of four vessels in the strait's southern section using similar tactics.

The Strait of Hormuz handles approximately 20% of global oil trade, making Iran's ongoing blockade since late February 2026 a direct threat to global energy security. Each disruption risks spiking fuel prices, delaying shipments of goods from electronics to food, and increasing shipping costs as vessels reroute around Africa - adding days to journeys and thousands to expenses for importers and exporters alike.

As Tehran blames US 'aggression' for the blockade while Washington pauses operations to pursue diplomacy, should businesses absorb these rising logistics costs, pass them to consumers, or seek alternative supply chains - and how soon might diplomatic efforts restore normal shipping flows through this vital waterway?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/07/27/iran-guards-turn-back-six-vessels-in-hormuz/