Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions with the US

Closure of the Strait of Hormuz

Iran has announced a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all maritime traffic, including commercial vessels and oil tankers, following recent US military actions on June 11, as reported by the Mehr news agency. The Iranian military's top command issued a warning that any ship attempting to navigate through this crucial waterway would face targeting.

According to a statement from the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the decision was made in response to what they termed the "criminal aggressions of the American enemy" and new attacks in the southern Hormozgan province. The command emphasized that "the Strait of Hormuz is closed for all types of vessels, including oil tankers and commercial ships," and cautioned that "any movement of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz will be targeted." They also dismissed US claims regarding vessel movements in the strait as false, referencing reports from the IRGC Navy about two ships that were struck for attempting to breach the closure.

As tensions escalate, clashes have been reported in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz. Mehr indicated that naval units of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) engaged in exchanges of fire with US forces in the region. Additionally, US military operations have targeted at least seven coastal sites, including areas near Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Qeshm Island, and Hengam Island, intensifying military activity in southern Iran.

This latest surge in hostilities follows new US military strikes against Iran. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it had conducted "additional self-defense strikes" against various targets in Iran, framing the operation as a response to Iran's "unwarranted and continued aggression." President Donald Trump has also indicated the possibility of further military action, stating that the US would respond "hard" after Tehran's delay in reaching a deal to resolve the conflict. Just hours before the latest strikes, Trump remarked, "We hit them hard yesterday and we're going to hit them hard again today." Reports of explosions have emerged from several locations, including Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, and Sirik, as tensions continue to escalate across southern Iran and the Gulf region.