Iran has once again declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to shipping, citing what it called “illegal movements” by US military forces in the Gulf. The United States swiftly dismissed the announcement, insisting that the vital international waterway remains open and commercial vessels continue to transit without interruption.
The declaration came from Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), established in May to oversee maritime traffic through the strategic passage. In a statement posted on X, the agency said ships would not be permitted to pass until regional stability is restored.
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“Due to the recent illegal movements of the United States military forces in the region, passage through the Strait of Hormuz is currently not possible,” the PGSA said, adding that transit requests would be reviewed once calm returns.
The US Central Command rejected the claim, stressing that Iran has no authority over the international waterway. It said American forces remain deployed to ensure freedom of navigation and confirmed that commercial shipping continues despite Tehran’s repeated threats.
President Donald Trump also sought to reassure markets, stating during an interview that the Strait remains open for commercial traffic.
The renewed dispute follows a sharp escalation in regional tensions after Iran launched missiles and drones targeting Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the UAE in retaliation for recent US strikes. Qatar reported three injuries from falling missile debris, while Oman, Bahrain and Jordan also confirmed security incidents linked to the attacks.
Iranian officials have continued to describe the Strait of Hormuz as one of the country’s most significant strategic assets. Mohsen Rezaee, an adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, called the waterway “more important than dozens of atomic bombs.”
The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly one-fifth of global oil and LNG shipments, making any disruption a major concern for international energy markets and global shipping.
