Iran (IMNA) - In a statement issued early Thursday, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters announced that, due to what it called growing insecurity in the region, the Strait of Hormuz had been closed to the passage of all vessels, including oil tankers and commercial ships. The headquarters warned that any traffic attempting to transit the waterway would be targeted.
The command said the order was issued in response to the continued acts of aggression by the United States and the start of attacks by US forces against several locations in Iran’s southern province of Hormozgan. It also rejected US claims that ships were continuing to transit the strait.
The headquarters further warned that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic would deliver a forceful and decisive response to any aggression or hostile action by US forces in the region.
Separately, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy announced that it had struck two vessels attempting to cross the waterway illegally. In its statement, the force said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until further notice and warned that no vessel should leave its anchorage in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman. It added that any approach to the strait would be considered cooperation with the enemy.
According to the report, Iran has maintained restrictions on the strategic chokepoint since February 28, when the United States and Israel began what it described as a new wave of attacks against the country. Tehran later tightened controls after US President Donald Trump announced the continuation of a naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports despite a ceasefire he had declared on April 7.
The closure order came after fresh explosions were reported in parts of Hormozgan and other southern regions of Iran, while the US military confirmed launching a new round of strikes against the country.
The latest attacks followed earlier Iranian retaliatory operations targeting the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and the American al-Azraq base in Jordan in response to previous alleged ceasefire violations.
Both the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters and the IRGC had previously warned that any further hostile action would be met with a decisive response.
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