Iran warns oil tankers to use approved routes in Strait of Hormuz or face 'forceful response'

Iran's joint military command issued a stark warning Thursday: oil tankers must adhere to approved routes in the Strait of Hormuz or face a "forceful response." This escalation ratchets up tensions over the critical waterway, a key chokepoint for global energy supplies. The statement, released by the Khatam al-Anbiya military command and broadcast on Iranian state television, arrived shortly after U.S. and Iranian diplomats met with mediators in Qatar.

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Any failure to comply, deviation from the designated route, or disregard for the navigation protocols of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz will be met with an immediate and forceful response from the armed forces, endangering the security of the violating vessels.

The exact trigger for Iran's threat remains unclear. However, a recent statement from the U.S. military's Central Command, highlighting a meeting with Middle Eastern officials where "leaders underscored their shared commitment to the free flow of commerce through" the strait, could have been the perceived provocation. This warning comes as Iran prepares for the funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died in the war's early stages.

The Iranian statement declared, "Any failure to comply, deviation from the designated route, or disregard for the navigation protocols of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz will be met with an immediate and forceful response from the armed forces, endangering the security of the violating vessels." It also specified that any interference by U.S. forces would prompt a "rapid and decisive reaction."

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interference by U.S. forces in the strait "will be met with a rapid and decisive reaction."

This dispute over passage through the strait has been a significant point of contention. Iran and the United States had previously agreed to a temporary deal allowing ships to pass without charges for 60 days. However, Tehran has insisted on controlling vessel routes and levying fees, a departure from established practice. Many Gulf Arab states and the U.S. oppose Iran's demand for passage fees.

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leaders underscored their shared commitment to the free flow of commerce through" the strait

Despite the heightened tensions, ship traffic in the strait has shown resilience. According to Lloyd's List Intelligence, at least 258 ships transited the waterway last week, an increase from 138 the previous week, even including Iranian strikes on two commercial vessels. Richard Meade, editor-in-chief at Lloyd's, noted that traffic has slowed since the strikes and remains below pre-war levels, with operators navigating a precarious balance between Iranian demands and U.S.-patrolled routes. "Nothing about this situation is stable," Meade observed, describing routes being chosen "on an hour-by-hour basis" and dependent on "shifting political approvals and real-time security assessments."

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Nothing about this situation is stable.