TEHRAN : Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz to all maritime traffic following military clashes with US forces, the Iranian Supreme Joint Military Command announced Tuesday.
In a stark warning to international shipping, the command declared that any vessel attempting to transit the strategic waterway – including oil tankers and commercial ships – will be targeted.
According to Iranian media reports, two ships have already been struck in the Strait for allegedly violating Iran’s newly imposed embargo.
The escalation follows fresh US attacks on Iranian positions, which triggered confrontations between US forces and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in the critical chokepoint. Iranian armed forces have reportedly launched missiles and drones at US ships near the strait.
Explosions were heard across multiple Iranian locations, including Fars province, western Tehran, Bandar Abbas, the cities of Minab, Sirak, Qeshm, Hingama, Kish Island, and the port of Gorgan, according to Iranian media.
The US Central Command confirmed it conducted additional defensive strikes on multiple targets inside Iran, stating the attacks were a response to what it called “Iran’s unjustified and continued aggression.”
The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil passes, remains a critical flashpoint in the escalating conflict.
