Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has asserted full control over maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, declaring that safe navigation is possible only through routes officially designated by the Islamic Republic.

The IRGC Navy said that any new shipping routes announced by certain authorities without prior notification or coordination with Iran are “unacceptable and extremely dangerous.”

The statement stressed that the only authorized routes for transit through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz are those designated by Iran. It warned all vessels against navigating outside these official corridors, describing such actions as prohibited and carrying serious risks.

“Coordination with IRGC naval forces via Channel 16 is mandatory for vessels seeking passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement added. It cautioned that any vessels breaching these regulations would face enforcement measures.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil consumption passes daily. Iran has repeatedly asserted its authority over the waterway, especially amid heightened regional tensions.

The IRGC Navy’s latest warning comes as international maritime authorities and shipping companies continue to operate in the area amid ongoing geopolitical frictions following the recent US-Israeli military operation against Iran.No specific countries or organizations were named in the IRGC statement as having announced unauthorized routes.

This declaration reinforces Iran’s long-standing position that it maintains the right to regulate and secure maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, while signaling a firm stance against any attempts to bypass its authority. (ILKHA)