Iran announced early Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and claimed its forces struck a vessel attempting to transit using an 'unauthorized route,' according to a report. The statement adds a new detail to the IRGC's earlier claim of a missile strike on a vessel in the same waterway, as The Zioneer reported at 02:11.
At 02:28 Jerusalem Sunday, Iran officially declared the Strait of Hormuz closed and claimed its forces struck a vessel attempting to transit using an 'unauthorized route,' according to a report. The statement adds a specific justification to the IRGC's earlier claims of a missile strike on a vessel in the same waterway, reported by The Zioneer at 02:11 Jerusalem.
The development follows a rapid sequence of IRGC announcements early Sunday. At 01:44 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported the IRGC's initial declaration of a temporary closure of the strait, followed by a claim of firing warning shots at a vessel that ignored orders. Minutes later, at 01:44, the IRGC stated it had struck a vessel with a missile while enforcing the closure, and the US confirmed a missile strike on a merchant ship. At 02:11 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that the IRGC again claimed it struck a vessel with a missile. The new detail about an 'unauthorized route' frames the strike as an enforcement action against a violation of Iran's declared blockade.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint, has been a focus of escalating tensions over the past month. As The Zioneer reported on June 11, the IRGC claimed to have attacked two vessels attempting to illegally cross. On June 12, Iranian Armed Forces confirmed they were enforcing a blockade, and viral footage purported to show a massive ship jam. On June 19, an Iranian source threatened to attack any vessel crossing. On June 21, Iranian outlets claimed the strait remained closed, directly contradicting US denials. The latest statement from Tehran reinforces its position.
The identity of the vessel struck in the latest incident remains unclear, as does the extent of damage. The claim has not been independently verified. The 'unauthorized route' justification has not been confirmed by any independent source.
7 developments
- StrongIranian outlets claim Strait of Hormuz remains closed, contradicting US denials
- DevelopingIran reportedly closes Strait of Hormuz
- DevelopingUS military strikes Iran after IRGC attacks container ship in Strait of Hormuz
- StrongIranian source threatens to attack any vessel crossing the Strait of Hormuz
Source and signal
- Internal intake