Iran’s armed forces have announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing alleged violations of a ceasefire agreement by the United States and Israel, according to Iran’s state-affiliated Mehr news agency.
The announcement was made by the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran’s top joint military command, which said the measure was being taken in response to what it described as breaches of a ceasefire framework set out in a memorandum of understanding.
'First step'
According to Mehr, the closure of the strategically important waterway is being treated as a “first step”, with Tehran warning that additional measures could be introduced if what it called continued aggression persists.
The statement did not provide further details on the scope of the closure or when the measure would take effect. It also did not specify what further actions Iran may be considering.
There has been no immediate official confirmation from either the United States or Israel regarding Iran’s allegations of ceasefire violations. Reuters reported that the announcement comes amid renewed tensions following clashes involving Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, despite efforts to maintain a fragile ceasefire.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints, handling a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Any disruption to traffic through the waterway is likely to have implications for international energy markets and regional security.
