Iran announces closure of Strait of Hormuz following US strikes

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared the vital Strait of Hormuz "closed to all vessels" after the US launched new strikes on Iran.

"Effective immediately, due to insecurity in the region, the Strait of Hormuz is declared closed to all vessels, including oil tankers and commercial ships," the IRGC said in a post on its official Telegram channel early on Thursday.

"Any vessel attempting to transit the strait will be targeted."

The critical waterway has been choked off for months because of the war, with visible traffic through the strait estimated to be just 15 percent of pre-war levels, according to financial data from JPMorgan.

Since the conflict began, Iran has consistently threatened to strike any vessel passing through the region without receiving explicit permission from the IRGC.

Last month, the elite paramilitary force went as far as laying out strict new rules and protocols for international merchant ships seeking to pass through the strategic maritime choke point.

Total blockade

The IRGC's dramatic announcement of a total blockade came following what it described as continued "American aggression" and recent US attacks on areas in Iran's southern Hormozgan province.

The IRGC also flatly rejected US claims regarding the continued safe passage of merchant ships through the waterway.

The developments came after Iranian media reported widespread explosions, heavy air defence activity, and sudden airstrikes across parts of southern Iran, including Bandar Abbas, Minab, Jask, Qeshm, and Sirik.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) earlier announced that American forces had launched additional strikes against multiple military targets inside Iran.

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Source: TRT