Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz after a fresh wave of US airstrikes targeted sites inside Iran.
Iranian naval forces reportedly attacked two commercial vessels attempting to pass through the strategic waterway shortly after the closure was declared.
The Pentagon said the overnight strikes were carried out in self-defence, describing them as a direct response to continued Iranian military actions.
The latest escalation followed the downing of a US Apache helicopter, a development that effectively shattered a fragile ceasefire reached in April.
Powerful explosions were reported along Iran’s southern coast, with military facilities on Qeshm Island and near Bandar Abbas among the reported targets.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments, quickly became the focal point of the crisis, raising concerns over disruptions to energy supplies.
Tehran warned that any vessel attempting to transit the strait would be considered to be cooperating with hostile forces.
The escalating confrontation rattled global markets, pushing Brent crude oil prices above $95 a barrel.
Although US Central Command said commercial shipping remained operational, maritime companies faced growing security concerns and rising insurance costs.
As Washington and Tehran exchange increasingly forceful military strikes, fears are mounting that the conflict could expand into a wider regional war.
