Iran’s joint military command has issued a stern warning to oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, urging them to adhere to the approved route or face a strong retaliatory response.
This caution, dated July 2, arises amidst escalating tensions surrounding the crucial waterway for oil supply. Negotiations concerning the resolution of the Iran conflict have been significantly impacted by the Strait’s importance. The conflict escalated after joint strikes by the US and Israel targeted key Iranian sites on February 28.
The Khatam al-Anbiya military command, as reported by Iranian state television, delivered the statement following diplomatic discussions between US and Iranian officials with intermediaries in Qatar.
The exact trigger for Iran’s warning on Thursday regarding oil tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz remains unclear. However, the US military’s Central Command released a statement after meeting with Middle Eastern leaders in Bahrain, emphasizing their mutual commitment to ensuring the uninterrupted flow of commerce through the strait.
The Iranian military command’s statement emphasizes that any deviation from the designated route or violation of navigation protocols within the strait will be met with an immediate and forceful response, endangering the security of the non-compliant vessels. Furthermore, any interference by US forces in the strait will be swiftly and decisively countered.
A temporary agreement between Iran and the US allowed ships to transit the strait without fees for 60 days. However, Iran insisted on controlling vessel routes and later imposing charges for passage, a proposition rejected by the US and several Gulf Arab states. An attempt by Oman and a UN agency to introduce a new route near Oman’s coast resulted in recent attacks across the Middle East.
Despite these challenges, ship traffic in the strait has gradually increased. Last week, at least 258 vessels passed through the waterway, as reported by marine data and analysis company Lloyd’s List Intelligence, marking a significant rise from the previous week. Nevertheless, current traffic levels remain below those observed before the conflict, when approximately 130 ships navigated the strait daily.