Al Jazeera News Updates Araghchi says Strait of Hormuz 'closed to our enemies', Baghdad hotel drone attack
Mar 17, 2026
Coverage of tension in the Strait of Hormuz and international efforts to keep it open. Iran’s declaration that the strait is closed to perceived adversaries. Reports of airstrikes in Tehran with civilian casualties. Drone explosions and a rooftop hotel fire in Baghdad near the green zone, and security responses.
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Strait Of Hormuz Closure Sparks International Rift
- The Strait of Hormuz has become a diplomatic flashpoint after the U.S. and Israel's military offensive on Tehran led Iran to effectively block the route.
- President Trump urged countries to send warships and minesweepers, but the EU and Germany declined to extend naval missions or involve NATO, showing limited international support.
Hormuz Disruption Sends Shockwaves Through Energy Markets
- A significant share of global energy transits the strait, with a fifth of the world's crude oil and LNG normally passing through it, so disruptions ripple through markets.
- The host links the closure directly to havoc in global energy markets following the Iran-related attacks and ensuing blockade.
Iran Frames Hormuz Closure As Defensive Measure
- Iran's foreign minister declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to 'enemies' including Washington and its allies, framing the blockade as a security measure tied to the conflict.
- The host reports heavy airstrikes in Tehran, with nearly 19,000 injured and almost 1,500 killed, tying the maritime blockade to intense on-the-ground violence.