Iran Doubles Down on Strait of Hormuz Control as War Rages

U.S. Embassy in Baghdad attacked again as Iran-backed militias escalate

Mar. 15, 2026 at 7:22am

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As the war between the U.S., Israel and Iran entered its third week, Iran's foreign minister declared the Strait of Hormuz open only to ships not belonging to the U.S., Israel and their allies. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was attacked again, prompting an urgent call for all American citizens to leave Iraq immediately. The conflict has resulted in over 2,100 deaths across the region, with Iran reporting over 1,348 civilian casualties.

Why it matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global oil chokepoint, with about a fifth of the world's oil supply passing through it. Iran's control over the strait gives it significant leverage in the conflict, as it can disrupt global energy markets. The attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad also highlight Iran's efforts to open a new front against the U.S. in Iraq, where Iran-backed militias have been increasingly active.

The details

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said the Strait of Hormuz 'is open' to ships that do not belong to the U.S., Israel and their allies, adding that 'others are free to pass.' However, he acknowledged that many ships prefer not to transit the strait due to security concerns. Iran has claimed responsibility for attacks on ships in and around the vital oil route, including a Thai vessel on Wednesday. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was attacked for the second time since the war started, prompting an urgent call for all American citizens to leave Iraq immediately.

  • The war between the U.S., Israel and Iran entered its third week on Saturday.
  • The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was attacked overnight for the second time since the war started.
  • Iran's foreign minister made his comments about the Strait of Hormuz in an interview with MS Now on Saturday.

The players

Abbas Araghchi

The Iranian foreign minister who declared the Strait of Hormuz open only to ships not belonging to the U.S., Israel and their allies.

Kataib Hezbollah

An Iran-backed militia in Iraq that claimed responsibility for the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

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What they’re saying

“Others are free to pass. Of course, many of them prefer not to because of security concerns. This has nothing to do with us.”

— Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

The takeaway

The war between the U.S., Israel and Iran has entered a dangerous new phase, with Iran asserting control over the vital Strait of Hormuz and escalating attacks on U.S. interests in the region. The conflict has already resulted in over 2,100 deaths, and the humanitarian toll continues to mount as the fighting drags on.