IRGC warns against US interference in Strait of Hormuz management
London, May 31
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Navy warned that any US interference in the "management" of the Strait of Hormuz would be met with a "strict military response."
According to recordings from a public maritime radio channel provided to Xinhua by crew members aboard vessels stranded near the strategic waterway, the IRGC Navy issued a warning to ships operating in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, stating that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and that transit is permitted only with authorization from the IRGC Navy and through routes designated by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The warning added that any violations of the regulations would seriously jeopardize maritime security.
In the radio broadcast, the IRGC Navy also stated that any action by the US Navy aimed at interfering in "the management of the Strait of Hormuz or disrupting navigation" would face strict military action.
US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he would lift the US blockade of Iranian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Xinhua news agency reported.
However, a notice issued on Friday by the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) through the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said that the US blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect and that vessels are prohibited from entering or leaving Iranian ports.
The JMIC, a multinational maritime advisory body operating under a US-led framework, also warned that vessels refusing to comply with blockade instructions could be engaged by US forces, including through actions intended to disable or destroy them.
Recordings from the same public maritime radio channel, provided by seafarers near the Strait of Hormuz, also indicated that a US military aircraft broadcast a warning to a vessel early Saturday, instructing it to turn back immediately and stating that its course was being monitored.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Trump says he's lifting the blockade, but then the JMIC (which is US-led) says it's still on? This is classic mixed messaging. Either way, Iran is flexing its muscles, and the IRGC's threat is no joke. For India, stability in the Persian Gulf is non-negotiable—our energy security depends on it.
India has good relations with both Iran (Chabahar port) and the US (strategic partnership). This is a tightrope walk. If things escalate, our navy might need to step up escort operations for Indian-flagged vessels. Not something we want, but we must be prepared. 🚢
Iran is saying they control the strait, and the US is saying they have a blockade. Meanwhile, commercial ships are stuck in the middle. This is a textbook recipe for a miscalculation. I hope cooler heads prevail—the last thing the global economy needs is another conflict in the Gulf.
I find it troubling that a single nation can unilaterally declare a 'blockade' that affects global shipping. And now Iran is doing the same. International maritime law should govern the strait, not military threats. India must push for a multilateral solution at the UN. 🕊️
The IRGC's warning is predictable—they see any US action as an infringement on their sovereignty. But threatening 'strict military response' is dangerous. The US should clarify its position: is the blockade on or off? This ambiguity is causing chaos for shipping companies and insurance markets.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.