Iran Declares Strait Of Hormuz Closed As US Launches Fresh Str!kes
Iran Declares Strait Of Hormuz Closed As US Launches Fresh Strikes
Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply on Thursday after Iranian state media announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and warned that any vessel attempting to pass through the strategic waterway could be targeted.
The announcement came amid renewed United States military strikes on Iranian targets for the second consecutive day, deepening fears of a wider regional conflict and triggering fresh volatility in global oil markets.
According to Iranian state television, Tehran dismissed American assurances regarding the safety of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that the waterway could no longer be considered secure amid ongoing hostilities.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, with roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments passing through the narrow channel daily. Any disruption to shipping activities in the area is expected to have significant consequences for international energy supplies and global markets.
The latest escalation followed remarks by United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who indicated that American military operations against Iran would intensify.
Speaking to reporters, Hegseth said US Central Command (CENTCOM) would be actively engaged in military operations, adding that President Donald Trump had authorised strikes against what he described as key Iranian facilities.
“President Trump said we will be hitting Iran hard – and we will be,” Hegseth said.
He added that Tehran still had an opportunity to negotiate an agreement with Washington despite the ongoing military confrontation.
Reports from Iran indicated that explosions and impacts were recorded across parts of southern and central regions of the country shortly after the Pentagon chief’s remarks.
The latest exchange of hostilities represents one of the most serious escalations since a fragile truce reportedly reached in April between the two sides.
Diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a broader agreement had stalled in recent weeks, with Washington and Tehran accusing each other of bad faith and violations of previous understandings.
Iran had earlier threatened to suspend negotiations entirely over continued regional hostilities, particularly Israel’s military operations in Lebanon and growing tensions involving Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it had launched retaliatory strikes against multiple American-linked military facilities across the Middle East.
In a statement, the IRGC alleged that it targeted 18 military sites in response to what it described as American attacks on southern Iran and repeated ceasefire violations.
The Iranian military organisation claimed that missiles struck aircraft at Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan, while additional attacks allegedly targeted military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain.
The IRGC also claimed that drones were deployed against facilities associated with the United States Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.
