IRGC warns against new Hormuz route for ships: What we know

Lead

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned commercial vessels to use only routes through the Strait of Hormuz approved by Tehran, adding a new point of friction to fragile negotiations between the United States and Iran over the future of the strategic waterway. The warning came as shipowners faced contradictory guidance from Iran, the US, and Western insurers on how to safely transit the strait, which carries about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

Coverage comparison

The warning was reported by Al Jazeera, which noted that it followed Oman’s announcement of a new shipping transit route through the strait, coordinated with the International Maritime Organization, as maritime traffic slowly resumes after weeks of disruption. The same report highlighted that the dispute remains one of the unresolved issues in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the US and Iran, which launched a 60-day negotiation process aimed at reaching a broader peace agreement.

The South China Morning Post focused on Iran’s attempt to assert control over the strait by requiring ships to seek permission and obtain mandatory insurance, even as the US reported that 20 ships had sailed through overnight via a route it recommends along Oman’s coast. The report noted the conflicting signals come as the shipping industry assesses whether it is safe to transit the world’s most important energy chokepoint.

TASS, citing the Financial Times, reported that both the US and Iran have issued contradictory instructions to shipowners. Iran has said vessels risk penalties if they do not seek prior permission and take a route close to the Iranian coastline, while the US and Western insurers advise a route protected by US air cover on the Omani side of the strait. Shipping executives described a "deep confusion" over the safest route out of the Gulf.

The Hindu examined the text of the MoU as read out by US officials, reporting that it contains provisions opening the door for Iran to stake a claim in ship passage through the strait and potentially charge a transit fee. The report noted that before the war, Iran did not exercise such a right, and no toll was mandatory for merchant ships transiting the strait.

Key claims

• Iran’s IRGC warned commercial vessels to use only Tehran-approved routes through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Al Jazeera.
• The US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to reopen the strait, which includes provisions regarding shipping, as reported by multiple outlets.
• The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically significant waterway through which about one-fifth of global oil and LNG supplies pass, according to Al Jazeera.
• Iran may seek to impose transit or service fees on ships after the 60-day negotiating period, a possibility reported by Al Jazeera and The Hindu.
• The US and Iran gave shipowners contradictory instructions on navigating the strait, with Iran requiring permission and a route close to its coast, while the US and Western insurers advised the Omani-side route protected by US air cover, as reported by TASS and the South China Morning Post.
• Iran said vessels risk penalties if they do not seek permission and take the prescribed route, according to TASS.
• The US has not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a fact reported by The Hindu.
• Iran has signed but not ratified UNCLOS, also reported by The Hindu.

Perspectives

Iranian authorities (IRGC and officials): Iran asserts its right to control vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz, requiring ships to seek permission and follow a route along its coastline, with penalties for non-compliance. Iran has indicated it may charge for future transit services.

US and Western insurers: The US and Western insurers advise ships to use a route on the Omani side of the strait, protected by US air cover, to avoid potential Iranian interference and align with US regulations and underwriter advisories.

Shipping industry executives and brokers: Shipowners and executives express confusion and concern over the contradictory instructions, fearing that complying with either side could lead to detention, sanctions-related issues, or other consequences. Some industry voices describe the situation as "not very joined up" and predict it "will all end in tears."

Other Persian Gulf states and international shipping interests: Nations including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, and the UAE, as well as international shippers such as India, have in the past opposed any toll on the strait, according to The Hindu.