Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions with U.S.

Iran's military declared the Strait of Hormuz fully closed to all maritime traffic on Thursday, June 11, 2026, escalating tensions with the United States. The Khatam Al-Anbiya headquarters announced the strategic waterway is off-limits to all vessels, including tankers and merchant ships, citing insecurity in the region.

The Iranian military issued a stark warning: any movement within the Strait of Hormuz will face direct fire. This decisive action comes in response to ongoing U.S. "aggression" and recent American strikes targeting Iran's southern Hormozgan Province. The Iranian headquarters refuted U.S. claims that passage through the strait remained possible.

Reports from Iranian media indicated explosions, activated air defense systems, and airstrikes across several southern Iranian locations, including Bandar Abbas, Minab, Jask, Qeshm, and Sirik. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed launching additional "self-defense" strikes on Iranian targets, stating these were a response to Iran's "unprovoked and ongoing aggressions."

These strikes represent a significant escalation in a series of exchanges that threaten to reignite a full-scale war. A fragile ceasefire had been in place since April 8. President Donald Trump had previously vowed to launch new attacks if a peace deal was not reached. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the strikes would "advance our military interests and also improve our diplomatic position."

Despite efforts by negotiators to end a three-month conflict, both the U.S. and Iran have engaged in repeated exchanges of fire since the temporary ceasefire. While Trump has expressed optimism about a deal, no breakthrough has materialized, and he has continued to threaten further military action.