Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ordered all commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to switch to alternative routes on Thursday. The directive follows concerns regarding the possible presence of anti-ship mines in the vital waterway.
The IRGC Navy issued the alert through the Tasnim news agency, a media outlet closely aligned with the force. Officials stated that ships must follow specific, newly designated paths until further notice to comply with maritime safety standards.
New navigation protocols
The Guard defined a mandatory "entry route" for vessels heading into the Persian Gulf. This path begins in the Sea of Oman, moves northward, and passes by Lark Island, which sits east of Qeshm Island.
Outbound vessels must follow a southern trajectory past Lark Island to exit into the Gulf of Oman. The IRGC stated that all ships must coordinate their movements with the Guard’s navy to avoid collisions with potential naval mines.
The order follows a fragile truce between Washington and Tehran. President Donald Trump recently extended a two-week window on threatened strikes against Iranian territory, while the Iranian regime pledged to guarantee "safe passage" through the strait during this period.
Despite the diplomatic pause, the IRGC claims the move is a necessary precaution due to the ongoing state of war in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. The directive aims to mitigate risk while the region remains on a heightened military footing.
