Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz to US, Israel and Allies, Exempts India

Tehran: Amid escalating war tensions in the Middle East, Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has made a very important and strategic announcement. Iran has completely closed the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important sea route, to the US, Israel and their Western allies. However, amid this tough stance, the good news for India is that no such ban has been imposed on Indian ships. On Thursday, Iran's state broadcaster IRIB announced that if any ship from the United States, Europe or their allies tries to pass through this waterway, Iran will destroy it. Earlier there were talks of concessions only for China, but now it is clear that India is also free from these restrictions, which means India will continue to receive oil supplies. Why is Hormuz important for global energy security?