TEHRAN, July 12 (ANI): Iran on Sunday maintained that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to transit, even as the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said maritime traffic continues to flow and dismissed Tehran’s claim of authority over the strategic waterway.
The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), an Iranian maritime body responsible for regulating transit through the Strait of Hormuz, said in a post on X that passage through the strait has been suspended because of what it described as “recent illegal movements” by the U.S. military. It said vessels would require a transit permit issued by the PGSA once conditions stabilize.
“We hereby inform all esteemed applicants. 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. As soon as stability and calm are restored, all requests will be reviewed based on the schedule, and the necessary permits will be issued,” the PGSA said.
It added that transit permits could be obtained only through the agency’s website and advised applicants to follow its official X account for updates.
The statement came shortly after CENTCOM asserted that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping.
In a post on X, CENTCOM said U.S. forces are “positioned and prepared” to ensure freedom of navigation and rejected Iran’s claim of control over the strategic waterway.
“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. Traffic is flowing,” CENTCOM said.
Earlier on Saturday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz “until further notice,” saying the strategic waterway would remain shut until the United States ends what it described as its “interference” in the West Asia region, according to Press TV.
According to an IRGC statement cited by Press TV, the decision was made “in light of the security situation resulting from the unlawful intervention of foreign powers.”
“The Strait of Hormuz has been closed until further notice and will remain closed until the United States ends its intervention in the region. No vessel will be permitted to transit the strait,” the statement said, according to Press TV.
The IRGC Navy also warned against any further military action against Iran under the pretext of the waterway’s closure, saying such actions would prompt a strong response.
“Should the aggressor enemy exploit this development, which it, itself, has caused, as a pretext for committing another act of aggression against us, it will be met with a forceful response, and additional enemy bases in the region will be targeted,” the statement added.
The IRGC further said responsibility for any consequences arising from the situation would rest with the United States, Israel, and countries hosting military facilities allegedly used for operations against Iran, Press TV reported.
The developments come as Qatari negotiators travel to Iran in an effort to ease tensions and create conditions for the resumption of U.S.-Iran talks following recent military escalations. (ANI)
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