Iran has claimed full military control over the geopolitically critical Strait of Hormuz, while significantly tightening security measures across the waterway.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that, effective immediately, any vessel navigating through this strategic maritime passage must establish prior coordination with the Iranian military and the IRGC.
According to reports from the Red Beach area in the southern part of Hormuz Island, security has already been heavily reinforced. The IRGC Navy stated that the entire strait is now under their strict military surveillance.
The new declaration further specified that warships from hostile or rival nations will not be permitted to transit through the strait. However, Tehran noted that commercial and civilian vessels from friendly nations can continue to use the route as before.
Prior to this announcement, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz had seen a slight increase over the past few days. Various sources claimed that roughly 30 to 40 ships, primarily belonging to Chinese companies, had crossed the waterway.
However, following the IRGC's newly enforced stringent stance, no other ship movements have been reported in the last 24 hours. Analysts believe that Iran's aggressive position in one of the world's most vital energy transit chokepoints could spark fresh international concern.
Source: Al Jazeera
