The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned commercial ships to only move through authorised passage via the Strait of Hormuz and asserted that any shipment diverging from routes designated by Iran can lead to enforcement proceedings, ANI reported on Thursday.
The IRGC further stated that a new maritime shipping passage has been announced by certain international authorities without consultation with Tehran.
"Coordination with the IRGC Navy via Channel 16 is mandatory for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Any vessel found in violation will be subject to enforcement measures," ANI reported, quoting Iranian news agency Press TV.
The statement has come in response to Oman's statement on authority over the Strait of Hormuz.
The Omani side stated on Wednesday that it was providing an alternate shipping transit corridor in the Strait of Hormuz with coordination with the International Maritime Organization, highlighting that this measure was implemented to guarantee autonomy of navigation without any imposing fee.
"The only authorised transit routes through the Strait of Hormuz are those designated by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Vessel traffic outside these routes is prohibited and highly dangerous. All ships are strongly advised to avoid any navigation outside the designated corridors," IRGC said in response.
Furthermore, US President Donald Trump stated that imposing any fee on shipments or any maritime practice by Iran would be unacceptable to him.
"Yeah, it would be unacceptable to me because we have numerous straits that if you did that for them, you'd have to do it for other people. You have other straits, well I wouldn't allow it there either. Yeah, it would be a game changer," he said when asked if he would block a final Iran deal if it included any kind of fees on shipping, Trump said.
