Iran says it targets ships in Hormuz as oil prices rise

Iran says it targets ships in Hormuz as oil prices rise

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has claimed that its forces conduct nightly operations against vessels in the Strait of Hormuz that Tehran believes violate its rules, raising concerns over maritime security and global energy supplies amid tensions with the United States.

Ali Mohammadi, deputy commander of the IRGC Navy, told Iran’s Fars News Agency that Iranian forces had maintained full surveillance of the strategic waterway since the first day of the war. He said the navy would continue both offensive and defensive operations to enforce Iran’s restrictions in the strait.

Mohammadi claimed that Iranian naval forces could take action against vessels violating their rules anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz. His remarks underscored Tehran’s determination to maintain control over maritime activity in one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.

The Iranian commander also rejected figures cited by US President Donald Trump and media outlets suggesting that between three million and eight million barrels of oil pass through the strait daily. He described the estimates as speculation, arguing that such figures aimed to bring down oil prices and influence global markets.

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and serves as a critical passage for international energy shipments. Any disruption to shipping through the narrow waterway can affect oil supplies, transportation costs and energy prices worldwide.

Meanwhile, Trump said Washington was engaged in productive negotiations with Tehran. He also indicated that he did not intend to launch an attack on Iran before the US midterm elections scheduled for November 3, signalling a possible opening for diplomatic efforts despite the continuing military tensions.

However, uncertainty surrounding the conflict and the safety of commercial vessels in the strait continued to weigh on energy markets.

International oil prices rose by approximately four per cent amid concerns over the US-Iran conflict and the risks facing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude futures climbed to $104.28 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude reached $91.49 per barrel.

Market concerns over possible shipping disruptions have heightened fears that further escalation could threaten energy supplies and keep oil prices elevated. Traders are closely watching developments in the region, particularly any indication that Iran could expand its restrictions on vessels passing through the waterway.

The latest statements from Tehran and Washington highlight the contrast between continued diplomatic contacts and growing security concerns in the Gulf, leaving global energy markets sensitive to any further developments.