Commander of Iran's IRGC says if it comes to closing the Strait of Hormuz, this force will carry out the operation in the shortest possible time

• Full comment, "The weapons that arrive on the battlefield on a day of war are different from what is presented in the exercise. The decision to close the Strait of Hormuz is in the hands of our senior officials, but I, as a soldier of this people, say that we are ready to carry it out whenever our senior officials give the order."

The statement from the IRGC commander underscores a significant escalation in rhetoric regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. If such an action were to occur, it would likely lead to immediate turmoil in energy markets, especially for WTI crude prices, as supply risks increase significantly. Traders should watch for market reactions, particularly in oil and related currencies, as tensions may escalate.