Image used for representative purposes
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps asserted their sweeping control over the Strait of Hormuz, even as it signalled that civilian maritime traffic remains permitted under regulated conditions.In a statement, quoted by AFP, the Guards’ naval command said, “All traffic… is under the full control of the armed forces,” accompanied by footage showing vessels targeted through crosshairs. The warning escalated further with the message, “The enemy will become trapped in a deadly vortex in the Strait if it makes the wrong move.”
The assertion came after US president Donald Trump ordered a US naval blockade of the strategic waterway, a move that has sharply raised tensions in the region.Despite the hardline rhetoric, the IRGC sought to temper fears of a total shutdown. In a separate communication, it stated that, “contrary to the false claims of some enemy officials”, the Strait of Hormuz is “open to the harmless passage of civilian vessels in compliance with specific relevant regulations”. However, it stopped short of clarifying what those regulations entail.The statement also drew a clear red line on military movement, warning that, “Any military vessels that intend to approach the Strait of Hormuz under any pretext will be considered in violation of the ceasefire and will be dealt with severely.” Meanwhile, Trump outlined a longer-term objective in a social media post, indicating that Washington aims to clear mines from the strait and restore full commercial access. Until then, he stressed, Iran should not benefit economically from its grip over the route.Iran’s effective blockade of the strait began after the outbreak of conflict with the US and Israel on February 28, disrupting one of the world’s most critical oil transit corridors and driving up global energy prices.Although a two-week ceasefire was agreed upon last week, its durability remains uncertain, particularly after recent US-Iran talks in Islamabad failed to produce a breakthrough, with vice president JD Vance, who was leading the delegation having left Islamabad.
