Iran's IRGC: Safe passage in Hormuz only via approved routes

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stern warning regarding passage through the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that only routes approved by Tehran guarantee safe navigation. The IRGC declared any new shipping lanes announced without coordination with Iran as "unacceptable" and "highly dangerous."

In a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency, the IRGC Navy emphasized that "The only route permitted for passage through the Strait of Hormuz is the route announced by the Islamic Republic of Iran." The statement further mandated that coordination with the Iranian navy via the international maritime Channel 16 is compulsory for vessels transiting the strait. The IRGC indicated that violations would result in action from Iranian authorities.

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The only route permitted for passage through the Strait of Hormuz is the route announced by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

This declaration comes in the wake of a reported understanding between U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The two leaders reportedly electronically signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17 aimed at ending the conflict between their nations and achieving a long-term peace agreement. Known as the Islamabad Understanding, the document reportedly came into effect on June 18. The 14-point agreement is said to include provisions for ending hostilities, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and lifting the U.S. naval blockade against Iran.

The region had experienced heightened tensions since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran, prompting retaliatory strikes from Tehran on U.S. assets across the Middle East. A ceasefire reportedly took effect on April 8.

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unacceptable and highly dangerous