Iran closes Strait of Hormuz as US asserts waterway remains open
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, saying a vessel had ignored a warning shot and sailed on an “unauthorised route”. The Iranian authority warned that “due to recent illegal movements of United States forces, passage through the Strait is not currently possible”.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) responded that “the Strait of Hormuz is open to all ships that seek to transit legally” and that U.S. forces are positioned to guarantee freedom of navigation. President Donald Trump repeated that “the Strait of Hormuz is open”. Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) said it had temporarily suspended all transit permits until stability is restored.
Data from MarineTraffic shows maritime traffic through the strait has sharply declined, with only a few vessels—mostly Iranian‑flagged—still passing. The strait carries roughly one‑fifth of global oil and gas shipments, so the standoff raises concerns for international energy markets. The dispute follows recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian targets after Iran fired warning shots at a Cyprus‑flagged container ship in the waterway.