Iran declares Strait of Hormuz shut 'until further notice' after IRGC fires warning shots

TEHRAN, IRAN: Iran has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz after its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it fired warning shots at a vessel attempting to cross the strategic waterway through what it described as an unauthorized route.

The announcement came early Sunday morning local time in a statement released by the IRGC Navy and carried by the Arabic-language website of Tasnim News Agency. 

IRGC says unauthorized vessel movement led to Strait of Hormuz closure

According to the IRGC, several vessels had attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz using routes that were not approved by Iranian authorities.

The military organization described the activity as “outside interference from foreign powers” and pointed to a recent incident in which its forces fired warning shots at a vessel attempting to cross the waterway.

The IRGC said the situation created security concerns that prompted the decision to halt all maritime traffic through the passage.

“Given the precariousness that was caused by this unlawful interference by outside parties, the Strait of Hormuz is to be closed until further notice and until regional interference by the US ceases,” the statement read.

The statement further added: “No vessel or naval craft will be allowed to pass.”

Questions remain over damaged ship reported near Oman

The announcement came as the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center reported a separate maritime incident in the region.

According to the UKMTO, a container ship east of Oman suffered damage and caught fire.

However, it remains unclear whether that vessel was the same one involved in the confrontation referenced by the IRGC.

No direct link between the two incidents has been confirmed.

Iranian officials did not provide additional details about the vessel that was targeted with warning shots, nor did they identify the ship's origin or destination.

As a result, questions remain about the exact circumstances surrounding the confrontation that preceded the closure announcement.

Donald Trump signals truce talks will continue

The development comes against the backdrop of ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.

Just days before Iran's announcement, Trump indicated that the United States and Iran were expected to continue truce discussions despite ongoing tensions. 

The president's comments came after US military strikes were carried out even as a ceasefire remained in place.

Iran's latest move adds a new layer of uncertainty to those discussions, particularly as the IRGC directly linked the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to what it described as continued US interference in the region.