The Iranian Army has warned it will target any warship interfering with navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, cautioning that any violation of approved transit procedures in the strait would jeopardize vessel security. Tehran emphasized that all ships and oil
tankers are obligated to obtain "prior authorization from the Iranian Navy before transit," indicating that all vessels must adhere to the traffic lanes specified by Iran within the strategic waterway. These statements come amidst escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz,
as commercial ships and oil tankers seek to resume transit through this vital passage, which accounts for one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies. The measures Iran seeks to impose on navigation are facing increasing international rejection. Prominent international bodies consider
the imposition of fees or restrictions on vessel transit in the waterway to be a violation of international navigation rules. The United States has also affirmed its rejection of any payments for traversing the strait, stressing that Hormuz must remain
an open international waterway. Navigation tracking data and shipping reports indicate that maritime transport companies and ship owners continue to avoid direct coordination with Iranian forces during transit, amid legal and insurance concerns related to complying with unilateral procedures imposed by
Tehran within the strait.
