‘Iran doesn’t control Strait of Hormuz,’ says US military as Tehran announces closure of chokepoint waterway

Hours after Iran announced closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid hightened tensions with the United States, Washington on Sunday said that Tehran doesn’t control the chokepoint waterway, adding that it remains open for maritime traffic.

“The Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels seeking to lawfully transit the international waterway. U.S. forces are positioned and prepared to ensure that freedom of navigation remains available despite unwarranted Iranian aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary declarations. Iran does not control the strait,” US Central Command wrote on X.

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The US military statement came hours after Iran launched large scale retaliatory attacks on US targets in several Gulf nations and announced closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Iranian response came after US military struck Iranian coastal energy infrastructure early on Sunday.

According to the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), US bases in Jordan, Qatar, and Oman were struck in retaliation for US attacks against southern Iranian provinces earlier in the day.

The IRGC said the US Army had carried out airstrikes against several coastal military bases and communications towers along Iran’s southern coasts.

In a statement, Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) said that passage through the Strait of Hormuz has been stopped due to the recent US military activities in the region.

“Due to recent unlawful movements by United States military forces in the region, transit through the Strait of Hormuz is currently not possible,” it added.

The PGSA further clarified that vessel traffic would remain suspended until stability and calm are restored in the area.

“As soon as stability and calm are restored, all requests will be reviewed according to scheduling and the necessary permits will be issued,” the authority added.