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A top Iranian official has blamed the United States and Israel for escalating regional tensions and disrupting vital global shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re unaware, the Strait of Hormuz is one of the most vital maritime chokepoints in the world. Located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, this narrow waterway, which is only about 21 miles wide at its narrowest point, handles roughly 20% of the world’s petroleum and about a third of all seaborne oil shipments. Every day, roughly 100 oil tankers and merchant vessels pass through it, transporting crude oil from major producers like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, and Kuwait to markets in Asia, Europe, and beyond. Since the conflict with Iran broke out, there have been no vessels moving through the strait over concerns that they could become “legitimate targets” for Iran. Over the last few days, multiple tankers have been targeted, with some hit by Iranian one-way attack drones.

What’s going on now: In a notable development, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States and Israel of being responsible for the instability in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that recent disruptions to shipping are a direct consequence of what he described as their military aggression against Iran. In a call with the UN secretary-general, Araghchi said the situation cannot be viewed in isolation and urged the international community to condemn the US.

At the same time, President Trump has been pressing allies to step in and help secure the strait, calling for a US-led naval coalition to escort ships and reopen the flow of oil. His push comes as energy markets have skyrocketed, with oil prices surging above $100 a barrel and fears growing about prolonged supply disruptions. Trump has demanded that countries benefiting from the strait should contribute militarily, even suggesting that NATO could face serious consequences if members fail to support the effort.

That proposal, however, has been met with widespread hesitation and in some cases rejection across Europe. France has said it will “never” participate in military operations to reopen the strait during the current conflict, while Germany has ruled out any military involvement entirely, with officials questioning what additional European forces could realistically achieve. The United Kingdom has also made clear it does not want to be drawn into a wider war, and Italy and Greece have similarly declined to take part in any naval mission tied to the fighting.