Iran has once again declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to shipping, alleging that recent "illegal movements" by the United States military in the Gulf have made transit through the strategic waterway impossible. The United States, however, rejected the claim, insisting that the Strait remains open and that commercial shipping continues without disruption.
Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), established in May to oversee maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, announced that vessels would not be permitted to pass because of US military operations in the region.
"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," the agency said in a post on X.
It added that once stability returned, pending requests would be reviewed according to schedule and the necessary transit permissions would be issued.
The announcement came just hours after Iran launched missiles and drones targeting Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar in retaliation for US strikes. Washington dismissed Tehran's declaration, stating that Iran has no authority to block one of the world's busiest maritime routes.
US dismisses Iran's declaration
The United States swiftly rejected Iran's claim, maintaining that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and that American forces are prepared to safeguard freedom of navigation.
US Central Command said commercial vessels continue to transit the waterway despite repeated threats from Tehran.
"The Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels seeking to lawfully transit the international waterway. US 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," the US military said on X.
The command also disputed remarks made by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-Navy.
"CLAIM: The Iranian commander for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Navy recently said on state-owned media that no foreign vessels may pass through the Strait of Hormuz without being identified, tracked, and monitored by Iranian forces," it posted on X.
It then responded:
"FACT: Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. It remains an international waterway. US forces are positioned and prepared to keep it that way."
Trump says commercial traffic is unaffected
US President Donald Trump also sought to reassure global markets, saying that commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was continuing despite the latest escalation.
Speaking during an interview on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, Trump said the strategic waterway remained open to commercial vessels.
The conflicting statements from Tehran and Washington have added to uncertainty in the Gulf, with shipping companies closely monitoring developments.
Iran calls Strait of Hormuz a strategic asset
Amid rising tensions, senior Iranian adviser Mohsen Rezaee described the Strait of Hormuz as one of Iran's most valuable strategic assets. The former IRGC commander and adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said the waterway was central to Iran's defence strategy.
"This strategic passage is more important than dozens of atomic bombs, and the Islamic Republic of Iran will protect it," Rezaee was quoted as saying by Iran's ISNA news agency.
Military confrontation expands across the Gulf
The dispute over the Strait of Hormuz comes amid one of the most intense rounds of military exchanges between Iran and the United States in recent months.
On Sunday, Iran launched missiles and drones targeting US-linked facilities in Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Qatar said three people, including a child, were injured by falling debris after its air defences intercepted Iranian missiles.
Oman lodged a formal protest with Iran following drone attacks on its territory, while Bahrain reported intercepting multiple aerial threats. Jordan also confirmed missile strikes.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Oman advised American citizens in Duqm and Musandam to shelter in place.
Global shipping faces renewed uncertainty
Iran has repeatedly sought to increase its control over the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict escalated. Although an interim agreement reached last month was intended to reopen the route while negotiations continued, Tehran has since advocated a permanent system requiring ships to obtain Iranian authorisation before transiting the waterway.
Qatar also advised all vessels, including fishing boats, leisure craft, and jet skis, to suspend operations because of the worsening security situation.
Despite Iran's position, the US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center said an expanded southern route near Oman remains available for two-way commercial shipping.
US Central Command said American forces struck 140 Iranian military targets on Saturday night and more than 300 over a three-day period. According to the military, the strikes were aimed at reducing Iran's capability to target commercial and civilian vessels operating through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. Before the conflict, nearly 20 per cent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed through the narrow passage, making any disruption there significant for international energy markets and fuel prices.
