Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had closed the Strait of Hormuz until further notice after claiming responsibility for firing what it described as “warning shots” at a commercial vessel transiting the waterway with its identification systems turned off.
In a statement issued in the early hours of Sunday, the IRGC Navy accused the United States and foreign powers of illegally directing ship movements through the strait’s southern corridors, which it considers a violation of the 60-day MoU signed with the United States in June.
The force claimed that one vessel that had allegedly switched off its tracking systems was struck by warning fire after failing to heed repeated instructions to alter course.
“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 seen by BusinessDay on Telegram read.
The announcement came shortly after the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported an incident involving a commercial vessel in Omani waters. UKMTO said the ship caught fire after being struck by a projectile.
The United States blamed Iran for the attack.
In a statement on X, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps forces had attacked the M/V GFS Galaxy a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. It reported that one civilian crew member is missing while the vessel suffered an onboard fire and extensive engine room damage, leaving it unable to continue its voyage.
CENTCOM said the incident prompted a third round of US strikes against Iranian targets this week, adding that the military action was intended to degrade Iran’s capability to attack commercial shipping.
The latest exchange marks an escalation in the confrontation between the US, Israel and Iran and raises fresh concerns over freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that carries roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption and a substantial share of constianer traffic.
As of publication, there was no independent confirmation that the strait had been fully closed to navigation but the UKMTO said advised vessels transiting the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity as investigations continue.
Vessel crossings through the strait dropped from a peak of 70 after the MoU signing in June to 11 as of July 10, according to data from Kpler and other maritime trackers
Shipping companies and naval forces are expected to monitor developments closely as governments assess the security situation in the Gulf.
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