US Accuses Iran’s IRGC Of Threatening Commercial Ships Transiting Strait Of Hormuz

The United States has accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of threatening commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, saying the strategic waterway remains open to international shipping despite Tehran’s claims over navigation routes.

The statement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) came on Wednesday as tensions between US and Iran continue to raise concerns over maritime security in one of the world’s busiest energy shipping routes.

Around one-fifth of global seaborne oil trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making any disruption a major concern for the shipping industry and global energy markets.

CENTCOM said the IRGC had recently threatened and attempted to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the strait. It also accused the Iranian force of trying to direct international merchant ships to use routes preferred by the IRGC.

“After recently threatening and attempting to attack commercial vessels and innocent mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) continues to claim that international mariners should only use routes the IRGC prefers,” the U.S. military said.

The U.S. military rejected those claims, saying the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway governed by international maritime law.

“The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway. The IRGC has no authority to dictate routes for free and open traffic flow,” CENTCOM said, adding that commercial shipping continues to move through the waterway with support from U.S. forces operating in the region.

Tensions between the United States and Iran have increased, raising concerns about regional security and the uninterrupted flow of global energy supplies.

Iran’s IRGC Navy, however, said on Wednesday that it had “targeted and stopped” three oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz after they ignored warnings, according to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.

The IRGC also said the “illegal interventions and orders” of the United States would not go “unanswered by vessels in the region,” Tasnim reported.

The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. About 20% of the world’s seaborne oil trade passes through the narrow waterway, making it one of the most important maritime chokepoints for global energy supplies.

Separately, Iran has rejected Oman’s proposal for regional joint management of the Strait of Hormuz, saying the plan has no chance of success.

According to Reuters, Oman presented Iran with a proposal backed by Gulf states to jointly manage the waterway, including collecting voluntary transit fees from ships under a model similar to Asia’s Strait of Malacca.

An Iranian official told Reuters that the United States and Saudi Arabia were pressuring Oman to promote what Tehran called “unrealistic plans” for the strategic waterway.

The official said a proposed 50-50 joint control arrangement with Oman would not serve Iran’s interests, although Tehran considers Oman a valuable neighbour.

Iran also said the entire inbound shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz and part of the outbound route should remain under Iranian control.

Commercial shipping continues to transit the Strait of Hormuz, according to CENTCOM, even as the United States and Iran exchange conflicting claims over navigation and maritime security in one of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

References: tribuneindia, moneycontrol