'Use Designated Routes': Iran Reasserts Control Over Strait Of Hormuz, Counters Trump's 'Blockade Lifted' Claims

Iran has reasserted its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, issuing a stern warning that both mercantile and naval vessels must strictly adhere to shipping protocols in the crucial maritime corridor or face potential repercussions. According to a statement carried by Iranian media, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters declared, "The management of the Strait of Hormuz is exercised with full authority by the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran." The counterclaim as the US President asserted his forces have lifted the Hormuz blockade.

The military command went on to emphasise that "all ships, commercial vessels, and tankers are only required to travel through the designated routes and obtain permission from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy. Any violation of these regulations will seriously jeopardise the security of their traffic."

Iran's new warning for Hormuz passage

Tehran additionally cautioned international naval contingents deployed in the region, asserting that any disruption to shipping administration or vessel traffic would trigger a swift countermeasure.

This warning coincided with Qatar renewing its stance against the implementation of any permanent maritime levies on vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, affirmed that Doha and its regional allies remain opposed to an indefinite tariff framework.

"Qatar and also the partners in the Gulf stated very clearly that charging fees will always impact the consumer, so we are against this," Sheikh Saoud noted during the summit.

Temporary solutions

However, the Qatari minister suggested that temporary financial solutions could be open to negotiation under specific circumstances.

He observed, "But for certain times that they say they will use it for mine-clearing or some usage of the fees for a temporary time, this is something that is negotiable."

These diplomatic exchanges unfolded while Iran and Oman engaged in ongoing discussions regarding a potential operational framework for vessel traffic through the critical international trading and energy corridor.

Concurrently, Oman's Maritime Security Centre disclosed the discovery of a suspected naval mine floating west of the Inshore Traffic Zone within Omani sovereign waters.

In a social media statement published on X, the security centre advised mariners to maintain high vigilance.

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The security body noted, "The Maritime Security Center urges all sea-goers, fishermen, and vessels to exercise the utmost caution and vigilance while navigating, to steer clear of any suspicious objects, and to report them immediately to the competent authorities."

US President Donald Trump has maintained that any potential diplomatic resolution must ensure Iran never acquires nuclear weapons capability and guarantee the unrestricted reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei dismissed these prerequisites, asserting that the Islamic Republic "said goodbye to the language of 'must' 47 years ago", while maintaining that "no final agreement has been reached."

Trump further asserted that Tehran would undertake mine-clearance operations, restore normal shipping traffic with "no tolls", and assist in dismantling its enriched uranium reserves, noting that "no money will be exchanged, until further notice."

ALSO READ: US-Iran War: Trump Ends Peace Talks Meeting Without 'Final Determination'; Here's What Tehran Said

In contrast, Iran's Fars news agency reported that Tehran is demanding "the immediate release of $12 billion" before moving forward with any diplomatic arrangements.

The domestic news outlet added that "no such clause appears in the text of the agreement" concerning toll-free access through the Strait of Hormuz, while characterising Trump's public statements regarding Iran's nuclear stockpiles as "fundamentally baseless."

(With inputs from agency)

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