On Sunday, July 12, 2026, the navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the Strait of Hormuz is closed "until further notice".

The IRGC indicated that no vessels will be allowed to transit this vital international waterway until the United States ceases what Tehran refers to as its regional interventions. This announcement has effectively dismantled a fragile interim ceasefire agreement established the previous month, significantly heightening tensions throughout the Middle East.

The closure follows an IRGC assault on a Cyprus-flagged container ship navigating the strait. Iranian state media reported that the military launched warning cruise missiles after the vessel disregarded instructions and traveled along an "unapproved" route.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO ...