Iran's military leadership announced Saturday that it has shut down the Strait of Hormuz to all vessel traffic. State television broadcast the declaration from Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters.
The closure comes in response to Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon. Tehran says the operations violate an agreement between Iran and the United States.
"The Strait of Hormuz will be closed to vessel traffic," the military command stated in its announcement. It called the move an initial response to what it termed a breach of commitments by opposing forces.
Officials warned that stronger measures could follow if fighting continues in the region. Iran signaled it may escalate further depending on how events unfold.
According to the command, the closure represents "a response to the enemy's breach of promise." If aggression persists, Tehran said it would take additional steps to force compliance with its obligations.
Closing the strait carries enormous global consequences. The waterway handles a significant portion of the world's oil shipments, making any disruption closely watched by international markets and security experts.
This marks a major escalation in regional tensions. Analysts will be monitoring whether other nations respond to Iran's blockade announcement.
