Iran Issues Warning Over Oil Tanker Routes in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s joint military command has announced that all oil tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz must adhere to its specified routes, threatening a ‘forceful response’ for any deviation. This warning amplifies tensions concerning a vital passage for global energy supplies.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical channel at the Persian Gulf’s entrance, has become a significant issue in peace negotiations aimed at permanently ending the Iran conflict. Following meetings between U.S. and Iranian diplomats with mediators in Qatar, Iran issued its statement.

Currently, Iran is preparing the funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died at the start of the current conflict in February. State media aired images showing Khamenei’s casket arriving at the Imam Khomeini Hussainiya. The official funeral is set to commence on Saturday, with many seen mourning.

The catalyst for Iran’s recent warning remains unclear. However, the U.S. Central Command had issued a statement after discussions in Bahrain, highlighting a regional commitment to maintaining the free flow of commerce through the strait. This might have provoked Iran’s reaction.

“Any failure to comply, deviation from the designated route, or disregard for the navigation protocols of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz will be met with an immediate and forceful response from the armed forces, endangering the security of the violating vessels,” the Iranian military statement asserted.

Iran also cautioned that any U.S. interference would prompt a swift and firm reaction. While the U.S. and Iran had agreed temporarily to permit ships to transit without fees for 60 days, Iran insists on controlling the routes and charging fees later.

Efforts to create a new route near Oman’s coast, led by Oman and a U.N. agency, triggered region-wide attacks last weekend, illustrating ongoing tensions. Despite the incidents, shipping activity in the strait has been recovering.

The number of ships passing through the strait rose to 258 last week, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence, up from 138 the previous week, despite Iranian attacks on two commercial ships. However, this traffic remains lower than pre-conflict levels. Decisions on navigation routes are made hourly, depending on political and security evaluations.

This week, Iranian media reported a foreign ship became stuck after failing to follow orders from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Yet, details suggest the vessel is linked to Iran and has been stranded for some time.

Nonetheless, Wednesday’s negotiations reportedly made ‘positive progress,’ according to Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, who expressed hope for further discussions following Khamenei’s funeral.