As the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, speculation is rising about whether the Iranians will close the Strait of Hormuz, which is critical to the world’s oil production. Two ocean tankers crashed into each other and burst into flames near the strait early Tuesday morning amid reports of electronic interference caused by Israel and

Commercial ships are sailing close to Oman and are being advised by maritime agencies to avoid Iran's waters around the Strait of Hormuz, with the risk of the conflict between Israel and Iran escalating,

Iran last threatened to close the Strait in April 2024, as it has done on several previous occasions. Shipping was targeted in the Middle East Gulf during the ‘Tanker War’ of the 1980s, fought between Iran and Iraq. That conflict saw 400 merchant ships attacked, with over 400 seafarers killed. (Copyright)