Iran shuts down Hormuz, US insists Tehran doesn't control vital strait

Iran has again declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to shipping, accusing the United States of carrying out "illegal movements" in the Gulf, while Washington insisted the strategic waterway remains open and commercial traffic is continuing as normal.

Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), an agency created by Tehran in May to oversee shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, said vessels would not be allowed to pass because of US military activity in the region.

"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 agency said in a post on X.

"As soon as stability and calm are restored, all requests will be reviewed based on the schedule, and the necessary permits will be issued," it said.

The rival claims came just hours after Iran launched missiles and drones at Jordan, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar in retaliation for US attacks. Washington rejected Tehran's claim over the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran has no authority to shut one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

The United States quickly rejected Iran's declaration, saying the



Strait of Hormuz remains open and that American forces are ready to protect freedom of navigation.

US Central Command said commercial vessels continue to move through the waterway despite Iran's repeated threats.

"The Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels seeking to lawfully transit the international waterway. US 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. Traffic is flowing," the US military said on X.

The command also pushed back against claims made by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-Navy.

"CLAIM: The Iranian commander for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Navy recently said on state-owned media that no foreign vessels may pass through the Strait of Hormuz without being identified, tracked, and monitored by Iranian forces," it said on X.

It followed with its response.

"FACT: Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. It remains an international waterway. US forces are positioned and prepared to keep it that way," US military said.