Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on Sunday that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz after striking a vessel that traveled on an unapproved route, warning that any retaliation would be met with a severe response. The IRGC navy stated that a vessel jeopardizing maritime security by switching off its systems was struck and brought to a halt, though no details about the ship were provided.
US Forces Launch Third Round of Strikes
Shortly after Iran's announcement, US Central Command confirmed that its forces began a third round of strikes against Iran. “The United States is imposing a heavy cost by continuing to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the strait,” the military said. A Cyprus-flagged container ship hit by Iran suffered significant engine room damage, and a civilian crew member is missing.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported an incident nine nautical miles east of Oman, where a container ship sustained damage to its rear, causing a fire onboard.
Iran Warns of Severe Response
Iran’s statement said several ships attempted to move through the waterway on an unauthorized route and ignored warnings to correct their course. The strait is closed “until further notice” and “until the end of US interference in this region.” Acts of aggression against Iran “will be met with a severe response, and new enemy bases in the region will be targeted,” the IRGC navy said.
Diplomatic Efforts Underway
The latest incident comes amid diplomatic efforts in Oman to discuss the fate of the strait. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi to exchange views on appropriate mechanisms for safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Iran, the US, Qatar, and Pakistan had agreed to negotiate in a call that mediators were trying to arrange for Saturday while Araqchi was in Oman. It was not immediately clear if the efforts were successful.
Escalating Rhetoric Between Tehran and Washington
The diplomatic moves followed exchanges of rhetoric between Tehran and Washington. Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, on Saturday vowed revenge for the killing of his father and predecessor, hours after US President Donald Trump threatened severe reprisals in the event of any attempt on his life. “Vengeance is the will of our nation and must inevitably be carried out,” Khamenei said in a written message. “This matter depends neither on my personal existence nor on that of other officials. Whether we are present or not, it will come to pass.” He said Iran had compiled a list of individuals to be targeted.
Both sides carried out exchanges of fire earlier this week, rocking an interim agreement aimed at ending the war that broke out in late February with massive US-Israeli strikes that killed the then supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Trump Threatens Decimation of Iran
Trump declared the ceasefire over while leaving the door open for talks. Mediators have been trying to salvage a diplomatic solution, with Iranian media reporting that a delegation from Qatar traveled to Iran on Friday. Hours earlier, Trump posted on Truth Social that any attempt to assassinate him would lead the United States to “completely decimate” Iran. “1000 missiles are locked and loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow, should the Iranian government act on its threat, pronounced in many corners of the globe, to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!” he wrote.
News outlets Axios and Politico reported that Washington has given Tehran until Saturday to stop firing on commercial ships transiting Hormuz and acknowledge the waterway is open.
