Iran says Strait of Hormuz closed to all shipping, vessels to be targeted

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran's Hatem al-Anbiya headquarters announced on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed to all maritime traffic, including oil tankers and commercial vessels. The military command said any ship attempting to transit the strategic waterway would be targeted. The decision was described as a response to U.S. strikes on Iran's southern Hormozgan region. The statement accused the United States of escalation that has eroded security at one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints for global trade. Iranian media reported naval clashes between Iranian forces and U.S. units in Gulf waters. The U.S. Central Command had not officially confirmed the clashes as of publication, while explosions were reported near Bandar Abbas airport and air base in southern Iran and in the Bandar Kangan area of Bushehr province. The closure of the strait, through which a significant share of global oil shipments transit, heightened risks for energy markets and maritime trade. No further details on the duration of the closure or possible negotiations were immediately available.