Strait of Hormuz: Iran Claims Closure Amid US Military Activities

Iran says there will be no travel through the Strait of Hormuz until "normalcy returns." Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority says it is not possible to pass through the Strait of Hormuz at this time due to recent illegal activities of the US military in the area. A statement says, "As soon as the situation normalizes and calms down, all requests will be reviewed on a timetable and the necessary permits will be issued." Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump says the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial traffic despite Iran's claims of "closure." President Trump says Hormuz is open to commercial traffic, even though attacks between the US and Iran continue. Trump said this during an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press" program. Earlier, the US military had asserted that ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz would be "monitored and issued necessary permits" until the next US military order to "de-escalate."