WANA (Jul 12) – The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed until further notice, stating that no vessel will be permitted to transit the strategic waterway until U.S. intervention in the region comes to an end. The decision followed an incident in which a non-compliant vessel was struck by a naval cruise missile and brought to a halt after ignoring Iranian maritime warnings.

 

In a statement, the IRGC Navy said that despite previous warnings requiring ships to use designated shipping lanes, several vessels, allegedly encouraged by foreign actors, attempted to navigate through unauthorized routes and ignored repeated instructions to alter their course.

 

According to the statement, one of the vessels, which had switched off its identification systems and endangered maritime security, was targeted with a warning strike and stopped. Follow-up information indicates that the operation was carried out using a naval cruise missile.

 

The IRGC further announced that, following the incident, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until further notice and until U.S. intervention in the region ends, with no vessels allowed to pass through the waterway.

 

The statement also warned that any new military action against Iran would be met with a severe response, adding that additional hostile military bases in the region would be targeted in the event of further aggression. It held the United States, Israel, and countries hosting their military bases responsible for the consequences of the latest developments.

 

Further reports on the operation indicate that the IRGC Navy used a naval cruise missile to stop the non-compliant vessel.