Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz Again, Threatens to Fire on Passing Ships

Iran’s military command has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, stating that vessels violating the closure will be fired upon. Iran said it would target any ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz after attacking two vessels that attempted to pass through the strategic waterway. “All ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz will be targeted,” said the Khatam al-Anbiya command, according to the Tasnim news agency. Iran added that the Strait of Hormuz is currently closed again. The closure follows American strikes on Iran near the Strait of Hormuz. “It is completely closed to all types of vessels,” the command stated. Iran’s navy, as quoted by state television IRIB and the Mehr news agency, said that “two ships that attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz illegally have been hit”. American forces have reportedly launched fresh strikes on Iran, with explosions heard near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media reported blasts in the southern region of the country near the Strait of Hormuz after Washington acknowledged carrying out defensive strikes. Explosions were heard in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, and the towns of Minab and Sirik. Iranian sources reported enemy projectile attacks on Qeshm and the towns of Kargan and Sirik.