Is Iran Preparing to Permanently Block the Strait of Hormuz?

Conflicting signals from Washington and Tehran keep oil markets on edge as Iran weighs a permanent Hormuz shipping ban while Trump insists a deal is within reach.

Friday, August 07, 2026 The oil market’s very own schizophrenia – trying to read into the contradicting claims of US President Trump and Iranian officials seeking to escalate the blockade of Hormuz even further – continues to puzzle industry analysts and traders.

Iran’s Parliament is reviewing a bill to permanently ban US, Israeli and other hostile vessels from…