Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. Iranian officials blamed the United States for violating a recent ceasefire agreement.
Iranian military commanders announced the decision through state media. They stated that the United States failed to lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports as required. Passage through the strategic waterway now requires Iranian approval.
The Strait of Hormuz serves as a critical chokepoint for global oil trade. About 20 percent of the world’s oil passes through this narrow passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Iranian forces took control of the area earlier in the conflict. They reopened limited traffic briefly after ceasefire talks. However, tensions rose again when the United States maintained its blockade.
Iranian state media reported the exact reasons for the move. Officials said the United States did not fulfill its obligations under the agreement. As a result, Iran returned the strait to its previous restricted state.
A senior Iranian military spokesman declared that Iranian forces now fully control the waterway. He warned that any vessel attempting unauthorized passage faces targeting.
Shipping traffic dropped sharply after the announcement. Reports emerged of Iranian gunboats firing on vessels that tried to cross. International observers noted immediate disruptions in energy markets.
The United States responded to the closure. American leaders rejected Iran’s claims and accused Tehran of escalating the situation.
Pakistan and other mediators urged both sides to return to talks. They highlighted the need for full implementation of the ceasefire terms to restore normal transit.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated his country’s position. He said Iran acted in response to continued violations by the United States.
