Iran warns tankers on Hormuz transit rules

Iran’s joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya, has warned that all oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz must use routes it has approved or risk a “forceful response.” The warning was delivered in a statement aired on Iranian state television, signaling an official and public shift in how Iran expects commercial traffic to move through the narrow waterway.

The command stated that any failure to comply with its directions, deviation from the designated route, or disregard for the Islamic Republic of Iran’s navigation protocols in the strait will be met with an immediate and forceful response from the armed forces. It said such action would endanger the security of the vessels it deems to be in violation.

This language places clear conditions on tanker movements, tying the safety of ships directly to adherence to routes and procedures defined by Iranian authorities. The emphasis on an “immediate” response underscores the potential for rapid escalation if a vessel is judged non-compliant.

In the same statement, Iranian commanders criticized the continued presence of U.S. fighter jets over the Strait of Hormuz. They argued that these patrols cause insecurity in the waterway and threaten regional security, framing foreign air operations as a destabilizing factor.

Iran further warned that any attempt by the United States to interfere in what it views as security matters in the strait, or any disruptive action there, would be considered a threat to Iran’s national sovereignty. The command pledged that such actions would be met with a rapid and decisive reaction.

By linking U.S. air operations and potential interventions to national sovereignty, the statement positions military activity around the strait as a sensitive issue and signals a low tolerance for perceived challenges to Iran’s control over security in the area.

The warning came after a period of regional diplomacy. U.S. and Iranian diplomats met with mediators in Qatar on Wednesday, while U.S. Central Command described a separate meeting in Bahrain with Middle East partners that focused on the Strait of Hormuz.

In that Bahrain meeting, leaders underscored their shared commitment to the free flow of commerce through the strait, highlighting the importance of uninterrupted shipping for the region. Iran’s new requirements on tanker routing and threats of a forceful response add tension to this goal.

The report noted that it was not immediately clear what specifically prompted the latest Iranian threat. However, the combination of stricter navigation demands, warnings to foreign militaries, and ongoing diplomatic contacts places renewed focus on the security of a corridor that is central to global oil transport.