The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy declared full control over the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, rejecting United States claims that the waterway remains open.
In a formal statement, the Iranian naval force stated that navigation restrictions through the strategic maritime passage will continue until American military operations against Iran are terminated and related commitments are implemented.
The Revolutionary Guard navy claimed that American assertions regarding open passage are an effort to manipulate international oil prices and conceal United States military failures in the region.
The announcement followed repeated statements from Washington asserting that the strategic sea lane remains open to global commercial shipping despite ongoing hostilities.
Dispute Over Hormuz Maritime Control
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy operates as a specialized maritime warfare branch alongside Iran's traditional regular navy. The force maintains extensive coastal defense systems, fast attack craft, and missile units along the northern coastline of the narrow channel.
The Strait of Hormuz forms the sole sea passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It represents one of the world's most critical energy choke points, handling approximately one fifth of global petroleum supply alongside major shipments of liquefied natural gas.
Diplomatic Conditions and Sanctions Warning
Addressing potential avenues for crisis resolution, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that diplomatic negotiations could return to track if the United States acknowledges that economic and military pressure does not yield results.
Araghchi noted that Washington must build trust, communicate with respect, recognize Iranian sovereign rights, and honor its existing international commitments before formal discussions can progress.
Tehran also issued a broader warning calling on foreign governments to ignore newly imposed American sanctions against Iran. Iranian officials described the economic measures as illegal state terrorism and a crime against humanity, warning that compliance with the sanctions constitutes active complicity.
Energy Market Disruptions and Maritime Incidents
The escalation in the Gulf has triggered severe disruption across global energy supply lines. Qatar extended a notice of force majeure on its liquefied natural gas exports to commercial buyers across Europe and Asia, citing security risks to maritime transport.
International oil benchmarks reflected the ongoing market volatility, with Brent crude recording a weekly decline of more than 5 percent.
Maritime security in adjacent waters remains unstable following recent operations. An oil tanker linked to Iranian shipping interests was seized by suspected pirates off the coast of Yemen during the preceding week. Maritime authorities in Eritrea subsequently clarified that the seized vessel was not registered under the Eritrean flag.
In financial developments related to sanctions enforcement, Egyptian officials stated that recent United States sanctions concerning Iranian operations apply exclusively to United Arab Emirates branches of Banque Misr, leaving other Egyptian commercial banks unaffected.
