Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed once again in response to a US blockade on Iranian shipping and ports. Iran’s joint military command today said that control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state, under strict management and control of the armed forces. It warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect. 

 

On the other hand, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) has stated that American forces are enforcing a naval blockade of Iranian ports, adding that 23 vessels have complied with their orders to turn around. 

 

In a separate development, the British military reported that two gunboats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard fired at a tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the vessel and its crew were safe, though it did not disclose the tanker’s identity or destination.