[93004] Iran announces the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to developments in southern Lebanon

Escalation in the Gulf: Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz

In a dramatic move published on June 21, 2026, the Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to vessel traffic. In a statement published on the آخرین خبر channel (affiliated with the Iranian establishment) and on سیاست در سایه, the move was justified as a "response to the violation of ceasefire agreements by the U.S." and as a protest against Israel's actions in southern Lebanon. The statement noted that this is only the "first phase" of an Iranian response to the conflict.

Fars News Agency, which is close to the Revolutionary Guards, reported simultaneously that the Revolutionary Guards Navy is not granting transit permits to vessels until further notice. The report was widely disseminated on various channels, including کانال اخبار سپاه پاسداران, اخبارفوری, and حامیان پزشکیان. The channel associated with the Revolutionary Guards even noted that as of now, only Iranian vessels are permitted to pass through the strait.

Conversely, international sources present a different picture. The Iran International network, which expresses a critical line toward the regime in Tehran, reported that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) clarified that the Iranian government does not have full control over the strait. The پیام ایران channel emphasized that as of this hour, no independent and clear verification has been received on the ground regarding the actual blocking of passage for all vessels, but the announcement itself has led to a sharp rise in tension in one of the world's most sensitive shipping lanes.