DUBAI/WASHINGTON: Iran on Sunday said it closed the Strait of Hormuz after a vessel traveled on an unapproved route and was struck, warning that any retaliation over the incident would be met with a “severe response.” “A vessel that had jeopardized maritime security by switching off its systems was struck and brought to a halt,” the Navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement, without giving any details about the ship. The statement said several ships attempted to move through the waterway on an “unauthorized route” and disregarded warnings to correct their course.

A Cyprus-flagged container ship struck by Iran suffered “significant engineroom damage” and a civilian crew member is missing, U.S. Central Command said.

July 12 (Reuters) - Iran's Revolutionary Guards navy said early on Sunday it had closed the Strait of Hormuz until further notice after firing a warning shot at a vessel it said…