Iranian authorities reported on Monday that six vessels attempted to cross an unauthorized southern route in the Strait of Hormuz after allegedly disabling their navigation and positioning systems, according to state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

IRIB said Iranian forces intervened to prevent the vessels from proceeding "illegally and unsafely" through the restricted area.

IRIB reported the ships were attempting to provoke U.S. military forces in the region, though no evidence was provided to support the allegation.

According to the report, one vessel was involved in an unspecified incident during the attempted transit. The remaining five were redirected to the Persian Gulf under Iranian supervision. Iranian officials have not released the names, nationalities, ownership details, cargo, or crew information of the vessels, nor provided further specifics about the incident.

There has been no immediate response from the United States, the vessel operators, or international maritime authorities to the Iranian claims.

The Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. Approximately one-fifth of global oil consumption transits the narrow waterway, making it vital to international energy markets. Disruptions or increased tensions in the area frequently trigger concerns about regional stability and global energy security.

Maritime security agencies routinely recommend that vessels transiting the Strait maintain active navigation systems and adhere to recognized international shipping lanes to avoid misunderstandings or incidents. Tensions in the Gulf remain high due to the ongoing presence of U.S. naval forces and periodic encounters between commercial shipping and regional militaries. (ILKHA)