Iran Warns Ships Against Crossing Strait of Hormuz Without Approval

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned ship operators on Thursday that any new transit routes through the Strait of Hormuz established without coordination with Tehran would be “unacceptable and dangerous,” threatening action against vessels that ignore its instructions.

The warning highlights Tehran’s determination to maintain control over one of the world’s most critical energy waterways and raises fresh uncertainty for global shipping operators navigating the strategic passage.

The statement comes despite a recent memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran aimed at reopening the vital energy corridor, which remains central to global oil flows.

Iranian state media reported that the IRGC Navy said only shipping routes approved by Iranian authorities would be permitted, with vessels required to coordinate with Iranian forces through designated communication channels.

The IRGC Navy warned that navigation outside approved routes would be “extremely dangerous and prohibited,” urging all ships to avoid movement beyond the designated corridors.

The warning followed a proposal by a major maritime intelligence group on Saturday recommending alternative shipping routes through the southern section of the strait, with vessels keeping their tracking transponders active.

The advisory said the southern route along Omani territorial waters had been confirmed clear of mines and was the recommended passage for ships.

Maritime traffic data showed early signs of recovery, with crossings reportedly tripling to 93 vessels by the end of last week compared with the same period a year earlier, according to vessel-tracking provider MarineTraffic.

However, traffic remains significantly below pre-conflict levels, when more than 100 ships crossed the strait daily.

MarineTraffic confirmed that 31 commercial and energy vessels crossed the waterway recently, as operators continued using a mix of Iranian, Omani, and internationally recognized maritime routes.

The company said operators were still moving cautiously rather than returning fully to normal shipping patterns.

The United States Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions in May on Iran’s Gulf Strait Authority, describing it as an attempt to “blackmail global maritime trade.”

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that Washington would not tolerate any transit fee system imposed on the Strait of Hormuz and said authorities would aggressively target any parties involved.

Analysts warned that any form of Iranian control over the waterway could have lasting consequences for global oil flows, with shipping activity potentially failing to return fully to pre-conflict levels if Tehran maintains strategic influence over the passage.

Helima Croft, global commodities strategy chief at RBC Capital Markets, said pre-war tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz may represent the highest level of activity for the foreseeable future.

In a note to clients, Croft said that any resolution of the conflict that leaves Iran maintaining operational control and influence over the strait would likely result in a significant decline in oil flows through the waterway.