Iran declares Hormuz Strait shutdown
Photo: So far, no ship has been able to pass through the strait (Getty Images)
On the night of July 12, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The reason cited was that ships had failed to comply with orders, according to Alhadath, The Times of Israel, Press TV, and other media outlets.
According to a statement by the IRGC Navy, several vessels attempted to pass through the strait via an unauthorized route, ignoring warnings to change course.
As a result, the vessel, which had endangered maritime security by shutting down its systems, was struck and brought to a halt.
Following this incident, Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz is closed until further notice and until US interference ceases.
The statement says no vessel will be allowed to pass through it.
The IRGC also warned that if the enemy, under the pretext of this incident, which it allegedly provoked itself, commits any new act of aggression, it will provoke a harsh response. In particular, US bases in the region will once again become targets for strikes.
US-Iran war
This week, the US and Iran exchanged strikes twice following an Iranian attack on three merchant ships. Afterward, the attacks ceased, but as Trump says, the ceasefire is over.
Media reports yesterday also indicated that the US is demanding that Iran publicly confirm the cessation of attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and the reopening of all shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf.
In addition, the parties agreed to continue negotiations despite the recent escalation in the strait.
At the same time, according to Axios, the White House is preparing for the possibility of a multi-day or even multi-week exchange of strikes between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.
