Iran is warning oil tankers to use only routes it has approved through the Strait of Hormuz, or be met with a "forceful response" from Iran's military.
According to the Associated Press, Iran's joint military command issued the warning on July 2, a day after U.S. and Iranian diplomats met with mediators in Qatar. The U.S. military's Central Command also put out a statement regarding a separate meeting with Middle Eastern nations in Bahrain, where the region's countries reportedly "underscored their shared commitment to the free flow of commerce" through the Strait of Hormuz.
In its warning to vessels, Iran said that "any failure to comply, deviation from the designated route, or disregard for the navigation protocols of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz will be met with immediate and forceful response from the armed forces, endangering the security of the violating vessels." Iran added that any attempt by the U.S. to interfere in the strait would be considered a threat to Iran's national sovereignty.
Although traffic has gradually started to return to smaller northern and southern routes through the strait, transits have remained limited, with the main route still closed due to concerns over Iranian mines. During talks in Qatar, control of the Strait of Hormuz remained a sticking point for both sides. While the U.S. has insisted that passage through the waterway be free to all, Iran has continued to push for tighter control over the strait through proposed fees.
