Iran has announced the indefinite closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, following a sharp escalation in hostilities with the United States.
The strategic waterway, through which a significant proportion of global oil and petroleum products passes to Europe, Asia and other regions, was previously closed during the recent conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, triggering a surge in global energy prices.
The route was reopened about six months ago after Washington and Tehran reached a peace agreement. However, tensions have risen again in recent days, with US President Donald Trump declaring that the agreement had collapsed.
On Sunday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely after firing what it described as a warning shot at a vessel attempting to use an unauthorised route through the waterway.
In a statement published by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the IRGC, the organisation accused foreign powers of interfering in the region by attempting to move vessels through what it described as unauthorised shipping lanes.
“Given the precariousness caused by this unlawful interference by outside parties, the Strait of Hormuz is to be closed until further notice and until regional interference by the United States ceases. No vessel or naval craft will be allowed to pass,” the statement said.
The United States, however, said it had launched a new round of military strikes against Iran in response to what it described as an Iranian attack on a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces had attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship passing through the strategic waterway, leaving one crew member missing.
“Iran was provided yet another opportunity to demonstrate adherence to the Memorandum of Understanding after being held accountable for earlier attacks on commercial vessels but has again failed,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.
According to CENTCOM, the strikes began at 7.15 p.m. Eastern Time and were continuing.
The command said the operation was being carried out on the orders of President Trump, while US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on social media: “Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay.”
The latest escalation follows several days of rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, with both President Trump and Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, exchanging public threats over the weekend.
The renewed confrontation has raised fresh concerns over global energy supplies, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a critical transit route for international oil exports.
One point to verify before publication: the statement that the Strait of Hormuz “has been shut” should be attributed to Iranian authorities. In recent conflicts, there have often been competing claims about whether the waterway is fully closed or remains partially navigable under military escort.
