Iran says a southern route through the Strait of Hormuz will be closed, as a tanker is struck off Qatar's coast

13 October 2026

The UK Maritime Trade Operations said on Wednesday 7 October 2026 that a tanker sailing off the north coast of Qatar reported being struck "by multiple projectiles". The vessel was in the Gulf, about 500km (300 miles) west of the Strait of Hormuz.
The same day Tehran said transit routes in the strait that Iran deems illegal would soon be closed, in reference to a southern pathway hugging Oman's coast.
Mohammadreza Naqdi, an adviser to the Revolutionary Guards' Commander, said: "The strait of Hormuz is closed, and the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran have full control over it."
The United States secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said the same day that Iran had "lost complete control" of the strait, adding: "There's almost as much oil flowing out now as there was before this conflict began."
In the week to 5 October 2026 there were at least 12 attacks on oil, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas tankers around the strait, and the price of Brent crude topped $100 per barrel.
Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei said on the night of 11 October 2026 that a shuttle system moving oil out of the strait in smaller vessels was an explicit target, saying: "the strait is under Iran's control, and we manage it."
The strait has been largely closed to shipping since 28 February 2026.