IRGC Bans Ships from Ports of Allies in Strait of Hormuz

On Friday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) declared it would prohibit ships from entering the Strait of Hormuz if they originated from nations identified as allies of the United States and Israel.

According to a statement from the IRGC’s Public Relations Department, reported by Mehr news agency, vessels traveling “to and from” ports in these allied countries will no longer be allowed to navigate the Strait, regardless of their intended destination or transport route.

The Revolutionary Guards noted that on Friday morning, three container ships of various nationalities attempted to enter a corridor designated for licensed commercial traffic. This was in response to comments from the U.S. president, which the IRGC labeled as “the lie” that the Strait of Hormuz remains open.

These vessels were “forced to return after warnings from the Revolutionary Guards Navy,” the statement highlighted, adding that navigation in the strait will encounter significant repercussions.

In a related context, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned that participants at the G7 meeting in France anticipate the conflict with Iran lasting “weeks, not months.” He noted that “this war is not going to last long,” emphasizing the U.S. has fulfilled many of its military objectives.

Rubio criticized Iran’s actions as “illegal,” “unacceptable,” and a potential “danger to the world,” warning that maintaining freedom of navigation could become a pressing issue even after current hostilities conclude.

Additionally, Iranian media reported that the country’s parliament is reviewing a proposal to impose tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrault stated that France aligns with the U.S. objective of “restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz” and mentioned that a tanker escort system might be established once regional tensions subside.