Iran warns ships against using unapproved routes in Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters issued a threat on Thursday, warning that any ship attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz using unapproved routes or disregarding Iran's navigation protocols would face an immediate and forceful response from the armed forces. The warning came a day after Qatari mediators hailed indirect negotiations between US and Iranian officials as making "positive progress" towards a peace deal.

The military command's statement, carried by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, did not specify what prompted the warning. However, it followed a US Central Command (CENTCOM) announcement on Wednesday that it had presided over a security dialogue in Bahrain, where regional leaders expressed commitment to the "free flow of commerce" in the strait.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi criticized CENTCOM's statement on Thursday, saying the forum "cannot establish legal order and security for the Persian Gulf." In a post on X, he argued that regional security would come through ending interventions, US withdrawal, respect for sovereignty, and acceptance of new geopolitical realities—not under America's military umbrella.

The Strait of Hormuz, which facilitated about one-fifth of global trade in oil and liquefied natural gas before the US-Israel war on Iran began in late February, has become a major sticking point in Washington-Tehran talks aimed at turning a fragile ceasefire into lasting peace. Although Iran agreed in a June 17 memorandum of understanding with the US to make "best efforts" for safe passage, Tehran has repeatedly threatened ships that do not use its preferred route close to the Iranian shoreline.

At least 49 attacks on commercial vessels have been recorded in the strait since the war started on February 28, according to MarineTraffic. Most incidents, including drone attacks on Singapore-flagged and Panama-flagged vessels on Thursday and Saturday respectively, have been blamed on Tehran.

Transits through the waterway have risen since the MoU was signed but remain far below the pre-war average of about 130 daily crossings. On Wednesday, 45 vessels crossed the strait, up from 34 on Tuesday. Oil prices, which dropped to pre-war levels on Thursday following reports of productive talks in Doha, largely held steady as Asian markets opened on Friday. Brent futures for August delivery stood at $72.07 per barrel as of 02:30 GMT, after falling below $71 for the first time since the war the previous day.