London, June 14: The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a warning to vessels navigating near the Hormuz Strait, a crucial maritime route. An audio recording from a public maritime radio channel has surfaced, detailing this warning.
The recording, provided to Xinhua by a crew member of a commercial ship near the strait, reveals that the IRGC Navy addressed all ships operating in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. They stated that the Hormuz Strait has been completely closed, and any vessel movement within the strait will be dealt with strictly.
The recorded message emphasized, “For your safety and health, avoid any movement in the Hormuz Strait until further notice.”
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that a peace agreement with Iran is set to be signed on Sunday, after which the Hormuz Strait will be reopened.
In a related development, the U.S. military reported late Friday that it had shot down several Iranian drones targeting commercial vessels in the Hormuz Strait.
The Hormuz Strait is one of the world’s most vital maritime routes, serving as a major passage for global oil and natural gas supplies. Due to escalating tensions and attacks on commercial ships, maritime traffic through this route has significantly decreased in recent months.
According to data released by the International Maritime Organization, as of June 11, there have been 46 confirmed incidents related to international shipping in the Hormuz Strait and the broader Middle East region, resulting in the deaths of 14 sailors.
The International Maritime Organization condemned an attack on a tanker on Wednesday, which reportedly led to the deaths of three sailors. The U.S. military later confirmed that it was responsible for this attack.
–
Leave a Comment