The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has reportedly cautioned shipowners about the use of unauthorized transit routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC has deemed such actions as “unacceptable and dangerous,” and has threatened repercussions for vessels that ignore its directives, reported local Iranian media on Thursday.
“Navigation outside these routes is highly dangerous and prohibited, and we warn all vessels to strictly avoid any movement outside the designated corridors,” the IRGC Navy warned
They said vessels must use only Iran-designated shipping routes and are required to coordinate with Iranian forces through approved communication channels, according to the report.
Iran Tightens Control As Oman Evacuates Ships
The warning followed a Saturday proposal by a naval information group, Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), recommending that ships use the southern transit route through Omani waters, with transponders activated, after confirming the corridor was clear of mines.
The IRGC’s statement underscores Tehran’s intent to retain control over the Strait of Hormuz and resist any unauthorized transits. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had previously reaffirmed Tehran’s authority over the Strait in accordance with international law and stated that the passage would “never” go back to the pre-war status quo.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Oman launched a controlled evacuation plan for ships stranded in the Persian Gulf. Oman will oversee vessel departures through temporary maritime corridors, as the normal shipping lanes remain unsafe due to confirmed mines and ongoing security risks. The operation aims to evacuate more than 11,000 stranded seafarers, with the IMO saying safety guarantees and navigation conditions have been verified despite elevated collision risks in the restricted routes.
Trump Targets Gas Price Lag
A day after praising ‘record’ 19 million barrels of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz and falling oil prices, President Donald Trump directed the DOJ to investigate oil companies for not lowering gasoline prices in line with the decline in crude oil costs and overcharging Americans at the pump.
At the time of writing, Brent crude oil price was trading 0.78% lower at $72.49 per barrel, while the WTI crude futures were trading 0.94% lower at $69.69 per barrel.
Meanwhile, the average gas price in the U.S. stood at $3.918 per gallon, as per AAA.
Apollo Chief Economist Torsten Slok said in a note on Wednesday that market “narrative” is shifting, with lower oil prices now seen as a potential inflation risk rather than a benefit.
He argued that cheaper energy could boost demand in an already strong U.S. economy, citing elevated inflation data, a robust jobs market, and the Federal Reserve’s hawkish stance. Slok warned that a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could further stimulate economic activity, potentially forcing the Fed to raise interest rates sooner.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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