Iran on Thursday warned that all oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz must use routes approved by Tehran or face a “forceful response,” raising fresh concerns over security in one of the world’s most important energy shipping lanes.
The warning was issued by Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya military command and broadcast on state television, a day after US and Iranian officials held indirect talks through mediators in Qatar aimed at reaching a lasting agreement following the Iran war.
The reason behind the latest warning was not immediately clear. However, it came shortly after the US military’s Central Command said officials from the United States and Middle Eastern countries meeting in Bahrain had reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the free flow of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s statement said any vessel that fails to follow its designated routes or ignores its navigation rules would face an “immediate and forceful response” from the country’s armed forces.
“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 statement said.
Iran also criticized the continued presence of US military aircraft over the strait, saying it creates insecurity and threatens regional stability.
“Any attempt by the United States to interfere in security matters or any disruptive action in the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a threat to Iran’s national sovereignty and will be met with a rapid and decisive reaction,” the statement added.
The Strait of Hormuz, located at the entrance to the Persian Gulf, is one of the world’s busiest oil shipping routes and has become a key issue in negotiations over a permanent settlement following the conflict involving Iran.
Under an interim agreement, Iran and the United States had allowed ships to pass through the strait without paying transit fees for 60 days. However, Tehran has insisted it should control shipping routes and eventually charge vessels for using the waterway.
The United States and several Gulf Arab countries have rejected the proposal. Efforts by Oman and a United Nations agency to establish an alternative shipping route near Oman’s coast triggered regional attacks last weekend, underscoring the continuing tensions.
