IRGC declares Strait of Hormuz closed, warns of ‘firm response’ to transit attempts

CAIRO – 27 March 2026: The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is closed, stressing that any attempt to traverse the waterway would be met with “strict measures,” according to Al Qahera News Channel.

In an official statement, the IRGC noted that three container ships of various nationalities attempted to sail toward the strait on Friday but were forced to turn back after receiving warnings from IRGC naval forces.

The Revolutionary Guard emphasized that the closure is absolute and any violation will be met with a "firm response." The statement further clarified that IRGC forces will prevent any vessels from passing to or from ports of countries allied with or supporting the United States and Israel.

This escalation follows comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, where he announced a delay to a previous ultimatum. President Trump stated he would push back the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz before facing the potential destruction of its power plants.

“As per the Iranian Government's request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He added, “Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media and others, they are going very well.”

The war, which has overshadowed the Middle East since February 28, continues to inflict significant economic and material losses despite intensive diplomatic efforts.

In a related diplomatic effort, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptians Abroad, Badr Abdelatty, held telephone calls with his Pakistani and Turkish counterparts to discuss efforts to facilitate direct negotiations between the United States and Iran.

The ministers emphasized promoting diplomacy and dialogue as the primary alternatives to a military escalation that threatens to plunge the region into widespread instability and violence.

Minister Abdelatty stressed the need for concerted regional and international efforts to contain the situation, reiterating that de-escalation and prioritizing diplomatic solutions are the only viable paths to resolving the current crisis. He expressed hope that joint Egyptian-Turkish-Pakistani mediation would lead to a reduction in tensions and a gradual de-escalation process to bring an end to the hostilities.

Israel's Channel 12 reported on Wednesday that Tel Aviv is preparing for the possibility that President Trump may announce a ceasefire with Iran as early as this Saturday. While sources indicate the likelihood of a detailed agreement remains slim, the possibility of a "framework agreement" is reportedly under consideration, prompting Israel to prepare for rapid diplomatic shifts.

The White House confirmed on Wednesday that discussions with Tehran are ongoing. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the progress as "productive," stating, "Talks continue. They are productive, as the President noted on Monday, and they remain so." She clarified that despite initial Iranian resistance to American proposals, discussions have not reached a dead end.