Iran launches 'lockdown' of key oil route Hormuz Strait, shocks US Navy

Iran has sent shockwaves through global markets by declaring a round-the-clock surveillance “lockdown” over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint carrying nearly one-fifth of the world’s daily oil flow. The IRGC Navy announced full-spectrum monitoring across surface vessels, drones, and even submarines during intense naval drills near disputed islands like Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa. This dramatic escalation comes as U.S. forces surge additional aircraft carrier power into the Persian Gulf, while Washington warns of strikes if Tehran refuses to dismantle its nuclear program. The timing is critical, coinciding with the second round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva on February 17, underscoring the dangerous overlap of diplomacy and military brinkmanship.