"Any vessel passing through the strait will be targeted," Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command, the supreme headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces, declared today. The agency stated that the strait is now "completely closed" to all vessels, including oil tankers and cargo ships.
Immediately after the announcement, the Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported that "two violating vessels" were hit while attempting to cross the strait.
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IRGC Navy speedboats approach a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on 21/4. Photo: AP |
IRGC Navy speedboats approach a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on 21/4. Photo: AP
Iran's Mehr News Agency reported that fierce clashes and firefights occurred in the strait between US forces and the IRGC Navy. The agency added that Iran's air defense system launched missiles toward an F-16 fighter jet that "violated Gulf airspace", forcing it to retreat.
Tensions between Iran and the US escalated after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on X that the US conducted strikes targeting multiple objectives in Iran early on 11/6. CENTCOM stated these actions were in response to "unprovoked and continuous aggressive actions from Iran."
Mehr reported that US forces have targeted seven Iranian coastal locations so far, including Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Qeshm, and Hengam Island.
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Location of Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. Graphic: Guardian |
Location of Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. Graphic: Guardian
CENTCOM stated that cargo ships continued to pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite Iran's closure declaration. The US military added that no US warships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, refuting Iranian state media reports that US vessels near the strait had been targeted by missiles and drones.
US President Donald Trump told Fox News on 10/6 that he had directly spoken with Iranian officials, who asked him to halt attacks on their country. The President added that the US strikes "would soon stop," but would resume tomorrow if no agreement was reached between the two sides. He also stated that Israel was not involved in this new wave of attacks.
However, Iran denied this information. It stated that Trump's "false claims" about contacting Iranian officials were "merely an attempt to avoid war" with Tehran.
