Iran announces closure of Strait of Hormuz after fresh US attacks
Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz and launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes against Gulf neighbors following US military actions. The escalation follows a series of maritime incidents and attacks on vessels, further destabilizing the region and threatening global shipping routes.
Why it matters
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is a major geopolitical event that threatens global energy supplies and risks a wider military conflict in the Middle East.
IRAN ANNOUNCED IT was closing the Strait of Hormuz today and launched missiles and drones at its Gulf neighbours, in retaliation for new US strikes following an attack by Iranian forces on a merchant vessel that was abandoned in flames by its crew.
Sirens and explosions were heard in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, journalists for news agency AFP and local authorities reported, the latest escalation to undermine an interim agreement between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the Middle East war.
The Pentagon said it had struck Iran early on Sunday after the Revolutionary Guards fired on a Cyprus-registered container ship they said was sailing an “unauthorised route” through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Guards then said they had hit a second vessel, according to state media, accusing it of “violating regulations”.
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