Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Closed Until Further Notice

Following the American attacks across Iran overnight, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed “until further notice.”

“In light of the tensions created by the attacking American forces in the region and the announcement by Iran’s armed forces last night, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until further notice,” the Iranian statement said. “We ask those seeking transit approval to be patient and await further instructions from the authority managing the waterways of the Persian Gulf.”

As a reminder, after a long series of threats from senior U.S. administration officials, the U.S. military announced overnight the launch of a strike operation against Iranian targets. According to American officials, the strikes focused on targets in southern Iran and included air defense systems, radars, communication facilities, command and control centers, and units connected to operating drones.

At the same time, reports in Iran said explosions were heard in several locations in the south of the country, including the port areas of Khargan, Assaluyeh, and other areas near the Persian Gulf.

Shortly after the start of the American strikes, the Revolutionary Guard announced that it had begun a retaliatory operation against American targets in the Middle East. According to statements published in Tehran, American bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and other countries in the region were attacked.

Later, the Revolutionary Guard reported that it had fired 12 ballistic missiles at Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan, which is also used by American forces. The Iranians also claimed to have hit 18 different targets at American bases across the Gulf.