IRGC announces Strait of Hormuz closure

Concurrent with a statement by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps regarding the "closure of the Strait of Hormuz until further notice," an American official told Axios that the IRGC fired a missile at a commercial cargo vessel attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz. According to this official, the vessel in question was hit and sustained damage. According to Tasnim News Agency, the naval forces of the IRGC announced on Sunday morning, July 12, in a statement that a vessel with its systems turned off was struck by a "warning shot" and brought to a halt. Based on this statement, the IRGC has closed the Strait of Hormuz until further notice and the end of American interventions to all vessel traffic, citing what it described as emerging insecurity resulting from illegal foreign interference. The statement also warned the United States and Israel, emphasizing that any new military action targeting enemy bases in the region will be responded to, and responsibility for the consequences will rest with Washington, Tel Aviv, and the countries hosting these bases.