Iran to restrict access to Strait of Hormuz without proper authorisation

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have issued a warning to vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz, stating that any crossing without authorization will be “dealt with” and criticizing a new route through the waterway.

The guards have denounced what they described as an unauthorized route announced by “certain authorities”, without providing further details. The warning comes after a Liberian oil tanker made its way out of the strait on Thursday, using a route close to Oman’s shore.

According to reports, the vessel hugged the coast of the United Arab Emirates and then Oman before traveling around the Musandam Peninsula fairly close to the shore. This route was reportedly laid out alongside the International Maritime Organization, an agency of the United Nations that oversees shipping at sea.

The Revolutionary Guards have expressed frustration over the new route, which they claim is bypassing their control on the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s military arm has historically used the strait as a means to exert pressure on its adversaries and the global economy during conflicts.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway that transports roughly 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas. The only authorized route currently in place runs through a corridor that follows Iran’s coast. A Memorandum of Understanding signed between Tehran and Washington last week stipulates that commercial ships may transit the strait free of charge for the next 60 days.

Iran and Oman have announced plans to study the costs associated with administering the strait, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that Washington will not accept any tolls or fees. The future of the strait remains a key sticking point in negotiations between Iran and the United States.

Source: Al Jazeera