Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Saturday that it would blockade the Strait of Hormuz, sharply escalating tensions in one of the world's most important transit corridors and deepening a standoff with the United States. In a statement posted on Telegram, the IRGC's naval forces warned that "approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and any offending vessel will be targeted."
The announcement camejust a day afterIranian officials had indicated that the strait remained open to commercial traffic. Iran's foreign minister had said on Friday that passage through the waterway was not restricted — a position that had been echoed by President Donald Trump.
But by Saturday, Iranian authorities reversed course, citing what they described as repeated violations by the United States of a ceasefire agreement. "In violation of the ceasefire agreement, the American enemy did not lift the naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports," the IRGC said. "Therefore, starting this evening, the Strait of Hormuz will be closed until this blockade is lifted."
The group also instructed vessels not to leave anchorage in the Persian Gulf or the Gulf of Oman and urged ship operators to follow only Iranian guidance, adding that statements from the U.S. president "hold no credibility."
Iranian officials framed the move as a response to American actions. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the country's parliamentary speaker and a senior negotiator, called the U.S. blockade an "ill-considered and ignorant decision." "It is impossible for others to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while we cannot," he said.
The United States, for its part, has maintained that its naval blockade of Iranian ports will continue. Trump recently said the measures would remain "in full force" until Tehran agrees to a broader deal, further complicating efforts to stabilise the region.
A bulk carrier ship anchored in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.
The competing claims have created confusion over the status of the narrow waterway, through which roughly 20% of the world's oil supply passes.
On Saturday, India summoned Iran's ambassador after what it described as a"serious incident"involving two Indian-flagged vessels in the strait. According to TankerTrackers.com, a firm that monitors oil shipments, both ships turned back after coming under threat.
A British military-linked monitoring service, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, said it had received reports that one tanker had been fired upon by two Iranian gunboats, while another vessel was struck by an "unknown projectile."
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