AiBotTehran, Iran – The Revolutionary Guard Navy (IRGCN) has issued a stern warning to any merchant vessels or oil tankers attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. In a recent statement, the IRGCN asserted that no ships have crossed the strait in the past few hours, dismissing allegations made by US officials as “unfounded and completely invented.”
The statement, which was released by the IRGCN’s official spokesperson, emphasized the strict protocols in place to ensure the security and stability of the strait. According to the IRGCN, any naval movements that violate the stated principles of the organization will face serious risks. Ships that breach these protocols will be stopped by force, the statement warned.
The Strait of Hormuz has been a focal point of rising tensions between Iran and the international community in recent years. The waterway is a critical artery for global oil trade, with some 20% of the world’s oil supply passing through it. In June 2023, the IRGCN seized a British oil tanker, the Stena Impero, which was accused of violating Iranian territorial waters.
The recent statement from the IRGCN follows a series of escalations in the region, including a US-Iranian naval confrontation in the Persian Gulf in December 2024. The incident, which involved a US warship and several Iranian patrol boats, highlighted the high level of tension between the two nations.
According to a report by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a total of 22 commercial vessels were subjected to harassment or interference by Iranian naval forces in the Strait of Hormuz between July 2019 and July 2023. The report also noted a significant increase in maritime incidents in the region over the past five years, with some 145 vessels being targeted by Iranian naval forces.
The IRGCN’s warning to merchant vessels and oil tankers is likely to have significant implications for global oil trade. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for the global energy market, and any disruption to shipping operations in the area could have far-reaching consequences for oil prices and global supply chains.
In response to the IRGCN’s statement, a US Department of Defense spokesperson declined to comment, citing ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the IMO noted that the organization is “deeply concerned” about the recent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and is working closely with international partners to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the waterway.