Iran has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following an incident involving a vessel
Iran has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following an incident involving a vessel which, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, attempted to sail a route not agreed with Tehran.
According to PressTV, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that several vessels, allegedly acting under the influence of foreign forces, had ignored a demand to change course. One of the vessels, the IRGC claims, was attacked and stopped after it switched off its identification systems and posed a threat to the safety of shipping.
The IRGC stated that, following this incident, the Strait of Hormuz is closed until further notice. They also noted that the transit of vessels will not be permitted until the US ceases its interference in the region.
The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated that the US had violated the terms of the memorandum of understanding. According to him, the fifth clause of the document stipulates that the Strait of Hormuz may only be opened if the conditions set by Iran are met.
Following the IRGC’s statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported the third series of strikes on Iranian territory this week. CENTCOM stated that the operation was carried out in response to an attack on the Cypriot-flagged commercial dry cargo vessel GFS Galaxy in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the US military, one member of the civilian crew is missing, and the vessel is unable to continue its voyage due to a fire on board and serious damage to the engine room.
CENTCOM stated that 140 military targets had been struck, including missile and drone systems, ammunition depots, communications hubs and coastal radar stations. The command emphasised that the strikes were aimed at preventing Iran from attacking civilian sailors and commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to media reports, explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Chabahar, on the island of Qeshm, as well as in some areas of Bushehr province and in Assaluyeh.
Commenting on the situation, US Defence Minister Pete Hagseth said: “Iran has made the wrong choice, and now it will pay the price.”
Earlier, the US had demanded that Iran publicly guarantee an end to attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and refrain from imposing any restrictions on their passage.
