IRGC Warns Passage Through Strait of Hormuz Limited to Iran-Approved Routes

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any passage through the Strait of Hormuz is only possible through routes that have been approved by Iran. The IRGC stated that the only law governing the region is Iranian law along with the authority of the IRGC Navy.

In line with this position, at least three foreign oil tankers that tried to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without permission reportedly changed their course and returned following warnings from the IRGC Navy.

The announcement comes after an attack on a Singapore-flagged ship that was hit by an unidentified projectile. Following the incident, the United Nations canceled its mission to rescue eleven thousand sailors in the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran has denied any responsibility for the attack on the Singapore-flagged ship. At the same time, Iranian authorities have continued to issue repeated warnings against uncoordinated passage through the strategic waterway.

Ali Akbar Velayati addressed the situation in a post on X. He stated that the stability of Arab Gulf countries is due to Iran's one hundred year management of the Strait of Hormuz. Velayati also said that Western powers have only brought plunder and violence to the region. He concluded that marginal players have no place at the negotiating table and depend on Tehran's tolerance.