Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it is no longer bound by any commitment to keep the Strait of Hormuz open for vessels linked to Israel and its supporters, warning that any attempt to breach the closure will be met with force. The statement places full responsibility on Israel and the U.S. for the consequences, citing continued aggression.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a formal statement Saturday night declaring that the Strait of Hormuz is closed to vessels linked to the 'Zionist entity and its supporters' until further notice. The statement explicitly says Tehran is 'released from all commitments' regarding maritime passages, linking the decision to Israeli strikes on Lebanon and U.S. reluctance to pressure Israel. The IRGC warned that any attempt to violate the closure will be 'met with force,' and placed full responsibility for the consequences on Israel and the U.S.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Saturday, the IRGC had earlier announced it was released from maritime understandings (23:29), and U.S. officials disputed that an operational blockade was in place (23:19). The new statement contradicts American denials and formalizes the closure. An Iranian official also told the desk-linked channel that ongoing talks in Switzerland are not part of the negotiations and that conditions have not been met.
The declaration follows a series of Iranian threats this week linking Hormuz reopening to an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most critical maritime chokepoint, handling roughly 20% of global oil transit. It remains unclear how Iran intends to enforce the closure against commercial shipping.
6 developments
- DevelopingUS Navy warns IRGC vessels in Persian: 'halt or we attack' near Strait of Hormuz
- StrongIran tightens Strait of Hormuz transit rules: mandatory insurance, threat of IRGC Navy sanctions
- StrongIRGC Navy issues 'severe danger' warning to all vessels in Strait of Hormuz
- DevelopingIRGC turns ships back in Strait of Hormuz, analyst suggests mine avoidance
Source and signal
- Internal intake