Web Desk: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said on Sunday it had suspended maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz “until further notice,” according to the country’s state broadcaster, amid escalating tensions with the United States.
The announcement, carried by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), said the move followed what the IRGC described as foreign interference and attempts to establish what it called an unauthorized shipping corridor through the strategic waterway.
According to the statement, several vessels failed to comply with repeated warnings to alter their course and navigate through the designated maritime channel.
Moreover, the IRGC said its forces intercepted one vessel after it allegedly switched off its tracking systems, a move it claimed threatened maritime security. The navy said it fired warning shots before stopping the vessel.
The Guards also declared that no ships would be permitted to transit the Strait of Hormuz until what it described as U.S. interference in the region comes to an end.
In addition, the statement warned that any future attacks or violations would trigger what it called a decisive response, including strikes against “new enemy bases” in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, linking the Persian Gulf with global markets. Any disruption to traffic through the narrow passage has the potential to affect international energy supplies and shipping.
The IRGC’s claims could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate response from US authorities or other maritime agencies.
Read more
