Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the country's joint military command issued a stark new warning to all vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, insisting that ships follow only the specific routes designated by authorities in Tehran, according to CNN.
The warning comes despite reports of an understanding between the United States and Iran not to resume attacks in the strait, and just one day after it was reported that Washington and Tehran had reached an agreement to release three billion dollars to Iran, apparently from funds frozen in Qatar, money Iran will reportedly be free to use for any purpose it chooses.
Iran continues trying to assert full control over the waterway and prevent vessels from moving along routes closer to the Omani coast. Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported that the Iranian military made clear that any deviation from its guidelines would be met with an immediate and forceful response from the armed forces, one that would endanger the safety of any offending vessel. The Revolutionary Guard joined in with direct threats of its own, warning ships passing through the area that they would bear full responsibility for the consequences if they chose alternate maritime routes.
Maritime traffic through the strait currently splits into three main routes: one hugging the Iranian coastline, one along the Omani coast, and a central route. Iran has been actively trying to discourage vessels from using the routes farther from its coast, in an effort to prevent any erosion of its control over the strait.
The waterway is considered critical to the global economy, since roughly a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supply flows through it.
The current escalation and Iranian threats come just one day after U.S. Central Command met in Bahrain with representatives from twelve Middle Eastern countries. In its official statement, the command said participants discussed the current regional security environment and emphasized their shared commitment to the free flow of trade through the Strait of Hormuz, even as the U.S. Navy continues searching for a missing crew member.
The strait's status remains a central sticking point in the diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Despite the threats on the ground, a spokesman for Qatar's foreign ministry said indirect talks held in Doha between representatives of the two countries showed a positive trend, noting that the meetings demonstrated positive progress on issues related to the memorandum of understanding, and that both sides agreed to continue discussions.
It was reported Wednesday night that an agreement had been reached to transfer three billion dollars of Iran's frozen assets, apparently held in Qatar, directly to Iran without American mediation. In this context, American commentators have also pointed to Pakistan's "unique" position as mediator, following an announcement by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that he would attend the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei next week.
