Iran claims it has halted oil smuggling through Strait of Hormuz

Iran claims it has halted oil smuggling through Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has claimed that it has completely stopped oil smuggling through the southern route of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, amid rising tensions over maritime movements in the region.

According to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, an IRGC Navy official said the force had destroyed a navigation support system operating in the southern section of the strait. The official claimed that the move prevented vessels from using unauthorised routes, adding that no ship managed to pass through the restricted passage during the previous night.

The Iranian official further alleged that the operation had brought oil smuggling through the southern route to a complete halt. However, Iranian authorities did not provide independent evidence to support the claim or disclose further details about the destroyed maritime infrastructure.

The United States has not immediately responded to Iran’s latest announcement.

The development comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf following the outbreak of war between Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran had previously announced restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and instructed vessels to follow routes designated by Iranian authorities.

The waterway holds immense strategic importance for global energy supplies, as a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passes through it. Any disruption to maritime traffic in the strait could have serious consequences for international energy markets and shipping operations.

Meanwhile, Gulf countries have reportedly been attempting to move oil and gas out of the restricted area through ship-to-ship transfers, with vessels transferring cargo to other tankers at sea before proceeding towards the strait’s exit under the protection of the US Navy.

Iran has repeatedly claimed that it targets vessels involved in such operations, accusing them of violating its maritime restrictions. These developments have raised concerns about the safety of commercial shipping and the possibility of further confrontations between Iranian forces and US-backed maritime operations.

The latest IRGC announcement signals Tehran’s continued efforts to enforce its restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, although the full impact of the claimed operation on maritime traffic remains unclear.