Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi declared on Thursday, 11 June that fresh US military strikes against Iran have rendered the April ceasefire between the two countries “ineffective,” sharply escalating an already volatile confrontation in the Middle East. The statement came as Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels, including oil tankers and commercial ships, in an unprecedented move that threatens global energy supply chains.

Araghchi Condemns US ‘Aggression’

In a phone call with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Thursday, Araghchi strongly condemned the recent US military action, describing it as a “flagrant violation” of the United Nations Charter and international law. He also held the United States responsible for what he called the “dangerous” consequences of its attacks.

The remarks mark the most direct repudiation yet by Tehran of the diplomatic framework that had been holding since April, and signal that Iran no longer considers itself bound by the earlier truce terms.

What US Forces Did

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed early Thursday that its forces had completed additional strikes against multiple Iranian targets. “CENTCOM forces launched strikes on Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defence sites across Iran. U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy assets fired precision munitions on Iranian targets that posed a threat to U.S. forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters,” CENTCOM stated in a post on X.

CENTCOM added: “The strikes are in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression. U.S. forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready.”

Iran Closes Hormuz, Strikes US Bases

Following the US strikes, Iran’s main military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels. The strait is a critical chokepoint through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply transits, making its closure a significant threat to global energy markets.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) separately announced retaliatory strikes targeting US bases in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, further widening the geographic scope of the conflict.

Trump Threatens Deeper Military Action

Hours after US forces reportedly disabled a third commercial tanker accused of violating Washington’s blockade against Tehran, US President Donald Trump threatened further military action and raised the prospect of seizing Iranian oil infrastructure.

“The United States will be hitting Iran (whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti-Aircraft, and all other forms of Defence, together with most of its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump added: “At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela, which is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America.”

What Comes Next

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, combined with retaliatory IRGC strikes on US regional bases, marks a significant escalation beyond the April ceasefire framework. European powers, represented in Thursday’s call by Kallas, are now under pressure to mediate or risk a broader regional conflict. Energy markets are expected to react sharply to the Hormuz closure, with oil prices likely to spike on supply disruption fears. All eyes are now on whether further US strikes materialise and how Iran responds.