Iran says Strait of Hormuz transit subject to its rules

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would be governed solely by rules set by Iran, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander said, acknowledging that the IRGC prevented three foreign tankers from using a US-backed route to sail through the critical waterway, IRNA reported on July 9.

The comments by Ali Mohammadi, political deputy of the IRGC Navy’s Second Naval Region, came after two oil tankers and an LNG carrier were attacked near the strait on July 6 and 7. The United States, Saudi Arabia and Qatar blamed Iran for the incidents.

US President Donald Trump blasted the attacks as a violation of an interim peace memorandum signed with Iran last month and said he considered the agreement to be “over.”

The US has subsequently carried out overnight strikes against Iranian targets since July 7, focusing largely on positions along the country’s southern coastline, which prompted Iran to strike back with attacks on American military bases in the region.

“New transit arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz will be implemented based on the will of the Islamic Republic of Iran and through mechanisms determined by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic,” Mohammadi said.

“In recent days, the IRGC Navy prevented three oil tankers belonging to other countries from passing through the route intended by the Americans," he added.

He accused Washington of attempting to shift control of navigation in the strategic conduit by creating a southern corridor through Omani waters, but said the effort had fallen flat after Iranian forces used drones and missiles.

Mohammadi said vessels would be allowed to pass through the strait only via waters around Iran’s Larak Island, adding that Tehran would enforce its arrangements “with or without Oman’s participation.”

Iran and Oman, which share the Strait of Hormuz linking the Persian Gulf with the Sea of Oman, had held discussions on managing navigation through the maritime chokepoint, which carries around 20% of global oil and LNG trade.

The latest tensions threaten to undermine the temporary agreement reached on June 17 that ended nearly four months of conflict between Iran and the United States. Under the memorandum, Washington lifted its naval blockade of Iranian ports and issued temporary waivers allowing Iranian crude exports during a 60-day negotiating period while both sides sought a permanent settlement.

Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz after the conflict erupted following the joint US-Israeli offensive launched in late February, severely disrupting shipping through the vital corridor and pushing oil prices from around $70 a barrel to above $110 on some trading days.

Commercial traffic resumed after the peace memo took effect, although the latest attacks have renewed concerns over the security of one of the world’s busiest energy corridors.