Iran has announced the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz after its forces fired a naval cruise missile at a vessel accused of navigating the waterway through an unauthorised route.
According to reports, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the vessel ignored repeated warnings before it was struck with what it described as warning fire and forced to stop.
The development triggered a fresh wave of US military strikes, prompting Iran to retaliate with attacks on American military bases and allied positions across the Middle East.
In a statement published by the Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC accused foreign powers of unlawful interference in the vital shipping corridor, saying the latest incident necessitated the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until further notice.
The Iranian military declared that no commercial or military vessel would be allowed to pass through the waterway, warning that any attempt by the United States to challenge the closure would be met with a severe military response.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator with the US, Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, also declared on X that “the era of one-sided deals is over,” insisting that Washington must honour its commitments or face the consequences.
The renewed escalation comes barely a month after both countries announced a peace agreement aimed at ending hostilities across the Middle East and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. However, the fragile truce has steadily unravelled, with both sides exchanging reprisal attacks in recent weeks, raising fresh concerns over regional stability and global energy supplies.