Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared that the Strait of Hormuz will be “closed to all vessels” after fresh U.S strikes on the country and warned that any ship trying to pass through the economically critical passage could be targeted, according to CNN.
“Effective immediately, due to insecurity in the region, the Strait of Hormuz is declared closed to all vessels, including oil tankers and commercial ships,” said the IRGC in a post on its official Telegram, as reported by CNN.
“Any vessel attempting to transit the strait will be targeted,” it added.
Al Jazeera, quoting Iranian media, said that heavy clashes and exchange of fire have been reported in the maritime channel between U.S forces and naval units of IRGC.
U.S forces reportedly struck seven coastal locations, including Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Qeshm Island, and Hengam Island. IRGC Navy, meanwhile, said two vessels attempting to “illegally” pass through the strait have been struck.
Press TV reported that a shrapnel from a U.S strike injured two residents of Kargan in Minab County.
Al Jazeera cited Iranian media Mehr news agency to report fresh explosions in the port city of Bandar Abbas, linking the blasts to an incident in the eastern part of the city. The southern towns of Sirik and Minab, along with Qeshm Island and the northern city of Gorgan, also reported further explosions.
According to the U.S Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces have started launching additional self-defence strikes against several targets in Iran. It stated that the move was in response to continued and “unwarranted” Iranian aggression.
CENTCOM posted on its official X handle, “U.S. Central Command forces began launching additional self-defence strikes today at 5:15 p.m. ET against multiple targets in Iran at the Commander in Chief’s direction. The strikes are in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression.”
