Iran's IRGC closes Strait of Hormuz indefinitely citing foreign intervention
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until further notice.
- The IRGC cited 'illegal intervention' by foreign forces as the reason for the closure.
- This action follows recent US airstrikes against Iran in response to earlier attacks on commercial ships.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared the Strait of Hormuz completely closed until further notice, citing "illegal intervention" by foreign forces as the cause for instability. The IRGC stated that this measure is a response to recent US airstrikes against Iran, which followed attacks on commercial vessels.
We will resolutely respond to foreign intervention and attempts to establish so-called 'illegal routes' for ships passing through the strait.
According to Al Jazeera, which cited an IRGC statement, the IRGC Navy warned it would "resolutely respond" to foreign intervention and attempts to establish "illegal routes" through the strait. The statement claimed that several ships ignored warnings to alter their course to approved routes.
The IRGC further asserted that no vessel would be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz until the US intervention in the region ends. They also warned that new enemy bases in the area would be targeted if any new attacks or violations occur, vowing a strong response, including strikes on targets.
No vessel will be able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz until the intervention of the United States in this region ends.
This development comes after a previous agreement between the US and Iran in the previous month, which guaranteed safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days. However, Iran has maintained its position that ships must only use pre-designated routes. Subsequently, Iran attacked three merchant ships passing through the strait, prompting the US to launch large-scale airstrikes on Iranian military targets over two days.
If new attacks or violations occur, the new bases of the enemy in this region will be targeted.
Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.