Iran closes Strait of Hormuz after new US strikes, threatening vital oil route
The US military launched fresh strikes on Iran late Wednesday, prompting Tehran to declare the Strait of Hormuz closed to all vessels. The closure threatens a critical oil shipping route.
New US attacks
The US military began a fresh wave of strikes on multiple targets in Iran on Wednesday, acting on orders from President Donald Trump. Centcom, the US regional command for the Middle East, described the operations, which started at 17:15 Eastern time, as self-defense strikes.
The attacks are a response to the unjustified and ongoing aggression of Iran.
Iranian state media reported explosions near the southern coastal cities of Minab and Sirik, as well as on Qeschm island and in the port of Bandar Abbas. Unconfirmed reports also mentioned air defense activity in other parts of the country.
Strait of Hormuz closure
In immediate response, Iran’s military announced the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping, including oil tankers and cargo vessels. A statement broadcast by state radio warned that any ship attempting passage would be attacked. Iranian media soon reported that two ships had already been fired on after ignoring the ban.
Any ship attempting passage will be fired upon.
The military cited a “changed security situation” following the US strikes. Since early in the conflict, Tehran had effectively choked off traffic by forcing coordination with its authorities and charging high fees for a narrow corridor, without officially declaring a blockade. In mid-April, the US imposed its own naval blockade to cut off Iran’s oil revenue.
Escalation timeline
- Iran fires missiles at Israel; Israel retaliates with strikes in Iran.
- US bombs Iranian air defenses, ground control stations and radar sites after Apache downing.
- Qatari mediation delegation arrives in Tehran.
- New US strikes hit targets in southern Iran, including areas near Minab and Sirik.
- Iran declares Strait of Hormuz closed to all shipping.
Fragile ceasefire
The latest escalation comes despite a shaky ceasefire in the Iran war. On Sunday, Iranian forces fired missiles at Israel for the first time in more than two months, drawing Israeli retaliatory strikes. Trump called for an immediate halt, and both sides said they would stop attacks. However, just hours before the new US operation, the US had bombed air defense systems, ground control stations and radar sites in Iran early Wednesday. That strike was retaliation for the downing of a US Apache combat helicopter, which Trump blamed on Iran. Iranian sources said the bombing also destroyed two water reservoirs, damaging civilian infrastructure.
Reactions and mediation
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had warned Iran of impending strikes but insisted they were not meant to restart the war.
It is not about starting the war again. Instead, we want to set the conditions for an agreement.
Iranian President Massoud Peseschkian sharply criticized the US attacks. Iranian forces subsequently struck US bases in the Gulf region and Jordan with ballistic missiles, according to media reports. A Qatari delegation had arrived in Tehran on Wednesday to mediate in the conflict, but the renewed violence casts doubt on any diplomatic progress.
