10:41 11-06-2026

Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz After US Resumes Strikes

MC3 Carla Ocampo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to all vessels after renewed US strikes and warned that ships attempting to cross it would be attacked.

Tehran imposed a ban on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz after the United States resumed strikes on Iran. According to a statement by the central military command headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces, Khatam al-Anbiya, the restriction applies to all types of vessels — from oil tankers to merchant ships.

Iranian state television reports that Tehran linked the closure of the strait to the continuing actions of the United States and attacks by American forces on southern areas of Hormozgan province. The Iranian command said the situation in the Hormuz area had become unstable, and therefore traffic through the strait had been halted.

Iran warned that any vessel that attempts to pass through the closed strait will become a target for attack. Against this background, the IRGC reported striking two vessels which, according to its version, had tried to cross Hormuz. It also stated that any approach to the strait would be regarded as cooperation with the enemy.

Washington presents the opposite picture of events. US Central Command claims that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continues without obstruction, with vessels moving in both directions.

Amid the strikes, US President Donald Trump issued a harsh ultimatum to Tehran on Fox News. He said the United States would bomb Iran «to hell» on Friday night if the Iranian side did not agree to a deal with Washington. Later, according to the channel, Trump promised to stop the bombing, allegedly after an appeal from Iran.

On Thursday night, the Iranian agency Mehr reported fighting between the armed forces of Iran and the United States in the Persian Gulf area. According to its data, explosions occurred on Hengam and Qeshm islands.

Before that, CENTCOM announced the start of strikes on Iran on Trump’s orders. Axios journalist Barak Ravid reported that the US military had attacked military facilities in the south of the Islamic republic. Iranian media wrote about air defense activity in western Tehran, as well as in the areas of Bandar Abbas, Minab, Mohr and Sirik.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth had warned the previous evening that the United States would intensify attacks on Iran overnight. Trump himself had earlier accused Tehran of dragging out negotiations and promised large-scale strikes on key infrastructure of the Islamic republic.

The United States explains its actions by the tasks of maritime blockade and self-defense. Iran, in turn, says it is taking retaliatory measures. At the same time, negotiations between the sides formally continue: Washington and Tehran are trying to agree on a framework memorandum of understanding.