Iranian military orders closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels after US attacks

US CENTCOM denies closure, says commercial strips still transiting Hormuz

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Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman on May 15, 2026. Photo: Reuters

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Iran's military command stated on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz was closed to all vessels, including oil tankers and commercial vessels, in a statement carried by Iran's Mehr news agency.

"From this moment on, due to insecurity in the region, the Strait of Hormuz is declared closed for the passage of all types of vessels," the military said.

"Any passage [of ships] will be targeted."

Iranian media said two US ships were fired on, but US Central Command denied that the strait was closed or any of its ships were struck, saying commercial ships were still transiting the strait despite Iran's warnings.

Iranian news agencies reported explosions in several cities across the country of 93 million, including Sirik, Kargan, Bandar Abbas, Minab, and Karaj near the strait, as well as Varamin far to the north, closer to the Caspian Sea.

Read: US and Iran trade attacks for a second day, undermining shaky ceasefire

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth presented the move as an effort to force Iran into a deal to end the conflict.

The strikes would "advance our military interests and also enhance our diplomatic position," he told reporters during a visit to Central Command in Florida.

"We will strike them hard tonight, and hopefully Iran makes a good decision," he said. "If we need to negotiate with bombs, we'll negotiate with bombs."

The US and Iran have traded fire several times since the tentative ceasefire took hold, even as negotiators have unsuccessfully sought to end the war, now in its fourth month.

Trump has repeatedly said a deal is close, though there has been no sign of a breakthrough, while also threatening to resume bombing.

Early on Wednesday, the US military targeted air defences and radar sites around the Strait of Hormuz after Monday's downing of a US attack helicopter near the strategic waterway.

Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on US bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain. A US official said there was no significant damage.

Read more: Trump vows fresh Iran strikes

Iran accused the US of striking reservoirs that supplied drinking water to 10 villages and violating international law.

"This is not collateral damage - it is a calculated war crime and a flagrant violation of human rights," said foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghei.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The war has killed thousands and disrupted roughly a fifth of the global supply of crude oil and liquefied natural gas, sending prices sharply higher.

Iran has blocked traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, while the US has maintained its own blockade on Iranian ports.