Iran's state television reported that six more ships were turned back in the Strait of Hormuz. Citing official sources, it said the vessels allegedly used routes not approved by Tehran and switched off their maritime tracking systems.
Iranian officials claimed that naval forces fired warning shots to force the ships to change course. Additionally, one vessel was reported to have been involved in an unspecified 'incident.' There is no independent verification of damage or other consequences.
This operation comes after recent similar announcements by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy. Iranian officials argue that such measures are necessary to regulate navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The intervention reported on Monday came just a day after it was announced that another six ships had been turned back in the same waterway. This indicates that Iran is enforcing its maritime jurisdiction claims in an increasingly assertive manner.
Meanwhile, the latest incidents came at a time when direct military clashes between the US and Iran were subsiding. According to an Associated Press (AP) report, after a roughly two-week escalation, both sides halted major attacks. This paved the way for a revival of diplomatic contacts through regional mediators.
As part of diplomatic efforts, talks with Oman are addressing maritime security and navigation issues in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials have said that negotiations with Muscat on navigation and safe passage are ongoing, while US officials noted that multiple diplomatic channels are being used to prevent a renewed escalation of tensions.
Despite the reduction in military operations, commercial maritime traffic has not yet returned to normal levels. According to maritime tracking data cited by AP, the number of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz is below typical volumes. Since a significant portion of global seaborne oil exports passes through this narrow waterway, even limited disruptions can affect international energy markets and supply chains.
Issues such as Iran's nuclear program, Gulf security arrangements, and freedom of navigation remain key agenda items in talks among regional and international actors. While recent diplomatic contacts and the pause in US-Iran clashes have eased fears of a wider conflict, repeated reports of ship interventions expose the fragile security environment surrounding one of the world's busiest energy corridors.
For now, the latest reported operation reinforces Iran's determination to regulate maritime transits in the Strait of Hormuz according to its own procedures, while shipping companies and regional governments closely monitor whether diplomatic efforts can bring greater stability to navigation in the Gulf.
