Tehran – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Friday that two oil tankers had been halted after encountering unspecified incidents while attempting to navigate what Tehran considers an unauthorised route through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. In a statement, the IRGC said one tanker was stopped in the eastern section and the other in the western section of the strait. Both vessels were reportedly halted in waters south of the waterway.
The Guards alleged that the tankers had switched off their navigation and positioning systems and were attempting to pass through the unauthorised corridor with support from the US military. The IRGC did not disclose the nature of the incidents but said the vessels had received several radio warnings before disregarding them. The announcement came a day after Iran’s armed forces reported that at least four tankers had stopped in the area after allegedly striking mines.
Iranian forces have instructed commercial vessels to use a designated shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz and coordinate their passage with the country’s armed forces. Tehran considers a southern maritime corridor closer to Oman’s coastline an unauthorised route and has warned vessels against using it without coordination.
Iran has restricted maritime traffic through the strategic waterway since the Middle East conflict began on February 28, following US-Israeli strikes on Iran that killed former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The United States has also imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, further restricting Tehran’s ability to export oil and conduct international trade.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes, connecting the Persian Gulf with international markets through the Gulf of Oman. Disruptions to shipping in the waterway have raised concerns about global oil supplies, energy prices and the security of international maritime trade.
The latest reported incidents have added to tensions surrounding commercial navigation through the strait. However, the IRGC has not provided independent evidence detailing what happened to the two tankers, and the nature of the reported incidents remains unclear.
