Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has stopped six vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after they allegedly used routes not approved by Iranian authorities, according to Iranian state television.
The incident, reported on Monday, is the latest in a series of maritime confrontations in the strategic waterway, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.
According to a state television correspondent reporting from the Gulf, the vessels were intercepted on Sunday night after attempting to navigate through unauthorised routes.
“Last night, six vessels that attempted to transit through a route other than the designated one were stopped by the IRGC Navy with warning shots and turned back,” the correspondent said.
State television also reported that one of the vessels was involved in an “incident,” although no further details were provided.
Second Maritime Interception in Days
The latest development comes just two days after the Revolutionary Guards announced that they had stopped four vessels attempting to pass through the southern section of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the Guards, warning shots were fired before the vessels were prevented from continuing their journey.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global shipping route through which a significant portion of the world’s oil exports passes, making any disruption a major concern for international trade and energy markets.
Iran has effectively maintained a blockade of the strategic waterway since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict in late February, further escalating regional tensions.
The latest incident is expected to heighten concerns over maritime security in the Gulf as tensions continue to rise.
Source: AFP.
