The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has declared its intention to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, according to a recent statement from its naval forces on Telegram. They warned that any vessel approaching the strait would be deemed as collaborating with adversaries and would face aggressive actions.
Following a brief period where Iran had opened the vital maritime route, the country reinstated passage restrictions the very next day, citing “repeated breaches of trust” by the United States concerning a ceasefire agreement between the two nations.
The British military reported an incident in which two IRGC gunboats fired upon a tanker that was navigating the Strait of Hormuz. This escalation came shortly after Iran’s announcement regarding the renewed restrictions on the waterway. Additionally, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) noted that a container ship was struck by an unspecified projectile around 46 kilometres offshore from Oman, resulting in damage to some of its containers.
This series of events underscores the ongoing tensions in the region, particularly pertaining to the security of one of the world’s key oil shipping routes.