Iran shuts Strait of Hormuz amid fresh US strikes

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz “until further notice, ” saying the strategic waterway will remain shut until the United States ends ‘its military intervention in the region’. The Iranian statement came as the US military said ​it launched another round of strikes on Iran after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck a container ship travelling through the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. Iran said it closed the vital Strait of Hormuz after firing a warning shot that struck a vessel travelling on an unapproved route. It warned that any retaliation over the incident would be met with a “severe response. ” US Central Command identified ​the vessel as the M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship, saying it suffered significant engine-room damage and that a civilian crew member was missing. Iran said several ships attempted to move through the waterway on an “unauthorised route” and disregarded warnings to correct their course. The strait — ​which was a conduit before the war for one-fifth of the world’s oil and LNG supplies — will remain closed until “the end of US interference in this region, ” the Revolutionary Guards said. Central Command said it began its ​strikes at 7. 15pm ET on Saturday, roughly an hour after the Iranians released their statement, which included a warning that “new enemy bases” in the Middle East would be targeted if the United States retaliated for the container ship incident. Trump ordered the strikes, Central Command said. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a statement, the IRGC Navy said the decision to close the strait was taken in response to the “security situation resulting from the unlawful intervention of foreign powers. ” “The Strait of Hormuz has been closed until further notice and will remain closed until the United States ends its intervention in the region. No vessel will be permitted to transit the strait, ” the statement said. The IRGC warned that any attempt to use the closure as a pretext for further military action against Iran would draw a strong response. “If the aggressor exploits this development as a justification for another act of aggression, it will face a forceful response, and additional enemy bases in the region will be targeted, ” the statement said. It added that the United States, Israel and countries hosting military facilities used in operations against Iran would bear responsibility for any consequences. The announcement came after the IRGC Navy said it had fired a warning shot at a vessel that ignored its navigation instructions in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the force, the ship had switched off its onboard tracking systems, creating a potential risk to maritime safety. The IRGC said it had previously warned that foreign interference and the unlawful designation of shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz would prompt a decisive response and could disrupt maritime traffic through the strategic passage. Iran said it tightened its control over the waterway following the outbreak of hostilities with the United States and Israel earlier this year. Tehran also cited Washington’s continued military presence in the area despite a later ceasefire announcement. In May, Iran introduced a new mechanism to regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, requiring vessels to coordinate their transit with Iranian authorities and use designated navigation routes. Although Iran and the United States reached an understanding in June aimed at easing tensions, Tehran has maintained that Washington continues military interference in the strategic waterway, prompting the latest measures.

Read full story on Aaj English Tv