El Ciudadano
Original article: Irán vuelve a cerrar el estrecho de Ormuz tras ataques de EE.UU.
Iran has ordered the closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz «to all types of vessels, including oil tankers and merchant ships», in response to attacks launched by the United States in southern Hormozgan province. This action escalates tensions between the two nations and poses a threat to one of the most crucial maritime trade routes for global energy, through which 20% of the world’s crude oil is transported.
The announcement, made early Thursday by the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command —the top operational organ of the Persian military command—, raises tension to critical levels.
The statement released by the official IRNA news agency details that, «following the atrocities of the criminal U.S. and considering the commencement of attacks by that country’s aggressor military in certain regions of southern Hormozgan, from this moment on, due to the insecurity in the region, the Strait of Hormuz is closed to all types of vessel traffic.»
This measure affects both oil and commercial ships. Additionally, Iranian commanders warned that no vessel should depart from its anchorage in the Persian Gulf or the Gulf of Oman, emphasizing that «approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered an act of cooperation with the enemy.»
Iran Promises a «Crushing and Decisive» Response
The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic promised to deliver a «crushing and decisive response to any aggression» and wrongdoing by the «terrorist and aggressor U.S. military,» according to the same military communiqué.
Simultaneously, Tehran issued an unprecedented warning: «This time, the war will not be limited to the region», clearly indicating that any confrontation could extend beyond the Middle East.
The Origin of the Escalation
The escalation began on Tuesday night when Washington resumed its attacks against Iranian territory in response to the downing of an AH-64 Apache helicopter. The operation, executed under direct orders from the U.S. commander-in-chief, was described by the White House as «a proportional response to Iran’s unjustified aggression».
According to the Revolutionary Guard, U.S. forces bombarded «based on unfounded pretexts» multiple locations in Jask, Sirik, and Qeshm Island, causing damage to a communication tower in Sirik and destroying two water storage units.
Retaliations and Attacks on U.S. Bases
In retaliation, Iranian forces attacked several U.S. bases in the Middle East, stated the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command on Wednesday. Iran’s Foreign Ministry then addressed regional countries, reminding them of their «legal and moral responsibility to prevent» their territories from being used by the U.S. or Israel as platforms for offensives against the Persian nation.
Tehran warned that it would not hesitate to exercise its «inherent right to legitimate defense» against any aggression.
During the early hours of Thursday, air defenses were activated in western Tehran following warnings of imminent U.S. attacks, and explosions were reported in the cities of Sirik and Minab.
Trump Announces More Attacks Against Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces would launch a new wave of attacks this Thursday, continuing the previous offensive. «We’ll see what happens, but we hit them hard yesterday, and today we will hit them hard again,» he stated, according to reports from RT.
From Iran, a military source responded to the agency Tasnim stating that the Armed Forces are «fully prepared», and if the Americans act, «they will target new interests of this terrorist regime».
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