Iran’s IRGC asserts control over safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz, warning vessels to use only designated routes or face action.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) announced that safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz is permitted only via routes designated by Iran. The statement deems any uncoordinated shipping routes as unacceptable and dangerous, mandating vessels to coordinate with the IRGC Navy on channel 16 for passage.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, has long been a geopolitical flashpoint. Prior incidents have involved seizures or threats to vessels, though recent months have seen relative stability in transit. The IRGC’s latest directive reinforces Iran’s stance on maritime sovereignty in the region.
No immediate market reaction was reported, but the announcement could heighten tensions in energy trade routes, potentially impacting oil supply perceptions.