Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned shipowners that any transit through the Strait of Hormuz using routes established without Tehran’s approval is “unacceptable and dangerous,” signaling that Iran intends to maintain tight control over one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints.
The warning, issued on Wednesday, underscores Tehran’s determination to oversee vessel movements through the strait despite a recent U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding aimed at reopening the vital waterway following months of conflict and disruption.
According to Iranian media, the IRGC Navy said only shipping routes designated by Iran are authorised for passage and that vessels must coordinate with Iranian forces through approved communication channels before transiting the strait.
“Navigation outside these routes is highly dangerous and prohibited, and we warn all vessels to strictly avoid any movement outside the designated corridors,” the IRGC Navy said.
The statement came days after a leading naval information service recommended that shipowners consider using a southern transit corridor along Omani territorial waters, describing the route as clear of mines and safer for navigation. The advisory also urged vessels to keep their transponders switched on while passing through the area.
Although shipping activity has begun to recover, traffic remains well below levels recorded before the conflict. Data from ship-tracking firm MarineTraffic showed that vessel transits through the strait tripled to 93 over the weekend compared with the previous comparable period. Before the outbreak of hostilities, more than 100 ships crossed the waterway each day.
MarineTraffic recorded 31 verified crossings by commercial and energy-carrying vessels on Tuesday. The company said shipowners were continuing to adopt a cautious approach, using a combination of Iranian, Omani and International Maritime Organization-designated routes.
“Operators are still moving cautiously rather than returning to fully normal traffic patterns,” the company said.
More Read
The latest warning is likely to heighten concerns among shipping companies and energy traders about the long-term security of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil consumption typically passes.
Washington has strongly opposed any attempt by Iran to impose additional controls or charges on maritime traffic. In May, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority, accusing it of attempting to “extort global maritime trade.”
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned at the time that the United States would not tolerate any tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz and pledged to target entities involved in such activities.
Analysts say Iran’s insistence on directing maritime traffic could continue to affect global oil flows even if hostilities have eased. They warn that many shipowners may remain reluctant to resume normal operations if Tehran maintains extensive oversight of vessel movements through the strategic passage.
The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf to international markets and is a critical route for crude exports from major producers including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iran. Any disruption to shipping through the waterway can have immediate implications for global energy supplies and oil prices.
