Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz Amid US Strikes

Iran has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all maritime traffic, including oil tankers and commercial vessels, amid escalating tensions with the United States.

Iran’s top joint military command made the announcement on Thursday, warning that any vessel attempting to pass through the strategic waterway would face military action.

The move comes as hostilities between Tehran and Washington intensify following fresh US strikes on multiple targets inside Iran.

According to reports, the attacks were launched under the direction of US President Donald Trump late Wednesday night. The US military described the strikes as a response to what it called Iran’s “unjustified and continued aggression.”

In response, Tehran claimed it had targeted US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait and attacked two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian authorities also accused Washington of repeatedly violating a ceasefire agreement reached earlier this year.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would remain in place “until further notice,” suspending all maritime movement through the vital shipping route, including commercial and oil transport.

The IRGC also rejected previous US claims that American forces had ensured safe navigation in the area, accusing Washington of contributing to regional instability.

Iranian state media reported explosions near Qeshm Island and in the southern cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik, all located near the Strait of Hormuz. At least two people were reported injured in an explosion in the southern city of Kargan.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, through which a significant share of global oil and gas shipments passes daily. Any disruption to shipping in the area is likely to heighten concerns over global energy supplies and push oil prices higher.