Iran closes Strait of Hormuz until US naval blockade fully lifted — IRGC

Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz, Citing US Naval Blockade

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz—a critical shipping lane for global oil supplies—is closed until the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports, according to multiple reports.

Coverage Comparison

The announcement, carried by Iran's Student News Agency and reported by Al Jazeera, TASS, and the South China Morning Post, represents a dramatic reversal less than 24 hours after Iran had briefly reopened the waterway. The IRGC's statement warned that "no vessel of any kind should move from its anchorage in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman" and that approaching the strait would be considered "cooperation with the enemy," with offending vessels targeted.

Key Claims

The closure is attributed to the US naval blockade, which Iranian officials describe as a violation of the ongoing ceasefire agreement. Iran's parliament speaker and senior negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, called the blockade "a clumsy and ignorant decision" in a television interview, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

The IRGC's military command spokesman told Fars News Agency that control of the strait had "returned to its previous state," accusing the US of "piracy and maritime theft." The spokesman said the strait would remain "under strict control" until Washington ends the blockade of Iranian-origin and Iranian-bound vessels.

Perspectives

The closure comes after Iran had announced the waterway was "completely open for all commercial vessels," a move that helped lower oil prices, according to Al Jazeera. More than a dozen commercial ships passed through before the IRGC reversed course.

US President Donald Trump had applauded the brief reopening but stressed that the naval blockade "is going to remain," as reported by the South China Morning Post. The IRGC, meanwhile, described Trump's statements on the strait as "not credible," according to TASS.

A separate report by Al Jazeera noted gunfire was reported by a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, though details were not independently verified.

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said the navy was ready to inflict "new bitter defeats" on its enemies, a statement carried by a single outlet and not yet independently confirmed.

The situation remains fluid as a two-week ceasefire approaches its Wednesday deadline, with negotiations between Washington and Tehran ongoing. Analysts cited by the South China Morning Post suggested a deal was still possible and the likelihood of Tehran imposing a toll on the waterway was low, though the IRGC's latest action suggests otherwise.