Iran has issued a stern ultimatum to oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz
Iranian authorities have stated that all oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz must follow only the routes approved by Tehran. Vessels that violate this requirement have been threatened with a “decisive response.”
Iran’s Joint Military Command issued an official warning emphasizing that all oil tankers crossing the Strait of Hormuz must adhere exclusively to routes approved by the Iranian side. Tehran has promised to take harsh countermeasures in the event of noncompliance with the established rules.
In the event of non-compliance with this requirement, deviation from the course, or disregard for Iran’s navigation protocols, the military leadership promised an “immediate and decisive response” that would threaten the safety of offending vessels. The Iranian side also stated that any interference by U.S. forces in the strait would be met with a swift and decisive response.
A statement from the command of “Khatam al-Anbiya” was broadcast on Iranian state television following Wednesday’s meeting between U.S. and Iranian diplomats and mediators in Qatar, where the status of the Strait of Hormuz is one of the key issues in negotiations aimed at ending the war. The warning was also preceded by a statement from U.S. Central Command following a meeting in Bahrain with Middle Eastern officials, which emphasized a shared commitment to ensuring the free flow of trade through the strait, which may have irritated Tehran.
Currently, under a temporary agreement between Iran and the U.S., there is an arrangement allowing duty-free passage of ships for 60 days. However, Iran insists on exercising its own control over the routes with the subsequent introduction of transit fees, a move strongly opposed by the U.S. and the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf. Attempts by Oman and the UN to launch a new route near the Omani coast last weekend led to attacks in the Middle East, exacerbating overall tensions.
Despite recent Iranian attacks on two commercial vessels on June 25 and 27, traffic volume in the strait is showing signs of recovery. Last week, 258 vessels passed through the waterway, compared to 138 the week before. However, the situation remains unstable, and shipping volumes are significantly below pre-war levels (about 130 ships per day), as operators are forced to constantly adjust their routes based on real-time security assessments and political decisions.
This was reported with reference to the Associated Press.
Iran has set new conditions for the U.S. to continue negotiations — Reuters.
As a reminder, on June 26, global oil prices fell by about 2% due to an increase in the number of tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Exports of mineral fertilizers through the Strait of Hormuz have shown rapid growth, bringing supply volumes to the global market back to levels recorded before the military escalation began.
