Unprecedented Maritime Paralysis: Iranian Official Announces Complete Shutdown of Gulf Ports
Iran confirms the halt of oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz and the disruption of commercial activities in Gulf and Iraqi ports
NYN | Reports and Analyses
A senior Iranian official revealed on Monday that port activity across the Arab Gulf states and Iraq has come to an almost complete standstill due to the ongoing military escalation in the region and the disruption of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Secretary-General of Iran’s Maritime Shipping and Related Services Union, Masoud Bolmeh, stated that all ports located in the southern Gulf have ceased operations, referring to the ports of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries as well as Iraq, according to Iran’s Mehr News Agency.
Complete Halt of Oil Tanker Traffic
Bolmeh explained that the movement of ships carrying crude oil, gas, and petroleum derivatives through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped to zero, after approximately 110 vessels had been departing Gulf ports daily before the outbreak of the recent war.
He noted that the suspension of maritime transit through the strait has effectively caused a total paralysis in entry and exit operations at regional ports, leading to widespread disruption of commercial and logistical activities.
Jebel Ali Port Among the Affected
The Iranian official confirmed that Jebel Ali Port, regarded as one of the region’s largest commercial and logistics hubs, has become inoperative due to the halt in maritime navigation, adding that its disruption is affecting other Gulf ports connected to it through trade and services.
Escalating Economic Consequences
These statements come amid growing international concern over the consequences of closing or disrupting navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic routes for energy transportation and global trade, with warnings of major economic repercussions for oil markets and international supply chains.
