Reports indicate that Iran has begun steps to close the Strait of Hormuz, with ships receiving radio messages from the Revolutionary Guards warning: “No vessel is permitted to pass through the Strait.”

Multiple reputable sources report that vessels in the Strait of Hormuz have been receiving VHF radio transmissions from Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warning that no ships are allowed to pass through the strategic waterway. These reports come from officials associated with the European Union's naval mission Aspides, which monitors maritime security in the region. News outlets such as Reuters, The Times of Israel, India Today, Gulf News, and Al Arabiya all cite these warnings as factual occurrences occurring around late February 2026.

However, while these radio messages have been confirmed by independent observers and naval officials, Iran itself has not publicly or formally issued an official order closing the Strait. Some sources note this lack of formal confirmation from Iranian authorities. Additionally, the context includes heightened regional tensions following strikes and military exercises by Iran, which may have prompted these warnings.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil exports, so any disruption or threat to passage there is significant. Past incidents have involved temporary closures during military drills or escalations but not permanent shutdowns. The current situation appears to be a serious warning or attempt at closure communicated via radio transmissions rather than a fully enforced blockade confirmed by Iran's government.

In summary, the core fact that ships are receiving warnings from Iran's Revolutionary Guards forbidding passage through the Strait is well-supported by multiple independent sources and official statements. The broader claim that Iran has definitively closed the Strait is less certain due to lack of formal Iranian confirmation and absence of evidence of full enforcement.