20/06/2026 16:10 - Internacionales
Mapa geopolítico con el Estrecho de Ormuz resaltado en rojo, siluetas de barcos bloqueados y aviones militares en el cielo, atmósfera de tensión global.
June 20, 2026 marks a turning point in global geopolitics: Iran has officially announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The measure, described by the Iranian military command as the "first step" after breaching the agreement with the United States, is a direct response to Israeli attacks in Lebanon that caused at least 25 deaths, including civilians and children, despite an agreed ceasefire.
The strait, through which a vital portion of the world's oil supply passes, has become a chokepoint where more than 500 vessels are being held, with approximately 11,000 sailors on board. This situation raises the risk of an immediate energy crisis, reflected in the price of Brent crude, which stands between USD 83 and 84.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Only 21 miles (33 km) wide at its narrowest point, it is one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints. Approximately 20-30% of global oil shipments pass through this strait daily, making it essential for the world economy. Any closure has immediate effects on fuel prices worldwide.
The spark that ignited this conflict was the Israeli attack in southern Lebanon, specifically in the Sidon district, which left a tragic death toll despite a negotiated truce. Hezbollah (a Lebanese political and paramilitary organization backed by Iran) responded by launching more than 50 projectiles against Israeli forces. The conflict, which began on February 28, 2026, has already accumulated more than 3,700 deaths.
Diplomatic tension has also reached its peak. Technical meetings between the United States and Iran in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, have been postponed indefinitely. U.S. Vice President JD Vance canceled his trip to the negotiation zone. However, envoys such as Witkoff and Kushner remain in the region seeking to unblock the conflict, while Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi maintains that Israel represents a "threat to humanity."
Israel's Interior Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, declared that "All of Lebanon must burn," escalating the war rhetoric. Meanwhile, Pakistani Minister Mohsin Naqvi traveled to Tehran to meet with the Iranian foreign minister, seeking a peaceful solution to a crisis that threatens to destabilize global energy markets and security in the Persian Gulf.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has immediate consequences for gasoline and fuel prices worldwide. Countries in Europe, Asia, and the Americas depend on oil passing through this waterway. A prolonged closure could trigger a global economic recession, affect transportation costs, and increase prices of basic goods. The situation also raises concerns about a broader military conflict involving multiple nations.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
