Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had shut down the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely after firing warning shots at a commercial vessel that had switched off its tracking systems. The force released the statement early on Sunday and accused the United States and allied powers of illegally controlling ship movements through southern passages of the waterway.
The IRGC Navy claimed the action violated a 60-day agreement signed with Washington in June. According to the military force, one ship that disabled its identification systems ignored repeated warnings to change course before the warning fire struck it.
"As a result of the insecurity created by illegal foreign interference, the Strait of Hormuz will be closed until further notice and until the end of American interventions in this area, and no vessels will be allowed to pass through," the statement read.
The announcement followed a report from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency of an incident in Omani waters involving a commercial vessel that caught fire after being struck by a projectile. The United States swiftly blamed Iran for the attack.
US Central Command confirmed that Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps forces struck the M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship traveling through the Strait of Hormuz. The military agency reported one civilian crew member missing and said the vessel sustained an onboard fire and severe engine room damage.
The attack prompted a third round of American military strikes against Iranian positions this week, according to CENTCOM. The military action aimed to weaken Iran's capacity to target commercial shipping, the command noted.
The latest clash marks a significant escalation between the US, Israel and Iran and deepens worries about free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway handles roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption and carries substantial container traffic.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency advised ships in the area to stay alert and report any unusual activity while investigations proceed. No independent verification emerged that the strait had been completely closed to traffic as of publication.
Data from maritime trackers Kpler and others showed vessel crossings through the strait dropped sharply from 70 after the June agreement to just 11 by July 10. Shipping firms and naval forces are expected to watch closely as governments evaluate security risks in the Gulf region.
