Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has warned all vessels to stay away from the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran announced the waterway’s closure, saying any ship attempting to approach would be treated as “cooperation with the enemy” and could be targeted. The warning, reported by international news agencies and cited to Iranian state media, also directed shipowners and masters to follow only IRGC-issued updates and dismissed US claims about control of the chokepoint as having “no validity.”
AFP quoted a statement on the Guards’ official Sepah News site saying, “Any attempt to approach the Strait of Hormuz will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and the offending vessel will be targeted.” Reuters reported the IRGC Navy ordered vessels to remain at anchorage in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman and to rely solely on the Guards’ communications for guidance.
Iran announced the closure on Saturday, a day after saying the strait had been reopened, saying the move followed what it described as the US government’s failure to honour commitments in negotiations. The closure comes amid a fragile ceasefire in the wider Iran–US conflict that the source says was due to end on Wednesday, and it has further reduced hopes for a de-escalation.
The IRGC warning followed an incident near the strait in which two Indian-flagged tankers, Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald, were reportedly fired upon by Iranian forces; both vessels were said to be carrying several million barrels of Iraqi oil. An Iranian naval commander also warned the US Navy of a “hard blow” if Iranian vessels come under attack, according to Reuters.
Both Tehran and Washington remain defiant over control of the strait. The IRGC message reportedly tied reopening of the waterway to the presence of a US naval blockade of Iranian ports, while the source said US President Donald Trump has insisted the US blockade will remain “in full force” until a deal is reached. The Strait of Hormuz, responsible for roughly 20% of global oil shipments, has been a focal point of attacks and strategic confrontation since the Iran–US war began in February.
Original Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/iran-warns-vessels-approaching-strait-of-hormuz-cooperation-with-enemy-violating-tankers-targeted-us-trump-tehran-101776538335497.html
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-04-19 00:48:00
