Iran warns against unauthorized transit of the Strait of Hormuz

Iran warns against unauthorized transit of the Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) issued a warning on Thursday, June 25, 2026, against any crossings of the Strait of Hormuz without authorization. The ideological arm of Iran's military stated that vessels failing to comply will be dealt with and characterized any unauthorized crossing as unacceptable and extremely dangerous.

The warning follows an announcement on Wednesday by Oman and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations agency, regarding a separate temporary corridor through the strait. This route, which runs close to the Omani coastline and south of historic shipping lanes believed to be mined, was designed to evacuate more than 11,000 stranded seafarers and approximately 600 ships stuck since the start of the conflict. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez told AFP the evacuation will take a few weeks, with a goal of moving around 50 vessels a day.

The IRGC denounced the new route, asserting that the only authorized passage is the one announced by the Islamic Republic of Iran, which follows the Iranian coast. On Thursday, several oil tankers used the new route promoted by the UN agency. A hardline Iranian lawmaker, Rasaei, called for an immediate military response to the new route, arguing it sets a dangerous precedent and weakens Tehran's strategic influence.

Diplomatic Deadlock and the 60-Day Window

The status of the strait is a central point of contention in ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran following a war. During the conflict, which lasted more than 100 days, Iran effectively blockaded the waterway.

A memorandum of understanding signed last week by the U.S. And Iran stipulates that commercial ships may transit the strait free of charge for the next 60 days. However, long-term arrangements remain unresolved. Iran intends to impose what it terms maritime service fees for the administration of the strait. The United States rejects this, arguing the strait is an international waterway. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while visiting Bahrain and Kuwait, stated that I know of no country on the planet that supports tolling or fees for the use of the strait.

While Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sought a more diplomatic tone in a call with his Omani counterpart to discuss future maritime services, the tension remains high. The "R4" countries — Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan — have expressed support for regional solutions that respect the maritime boundaries of littoral states.

Regional Conflict and Domestic Pressure

Beyond maritime disputes, the broader regional conflict continues to simmer. In southern Lebanon, the Israeli military reported on Thursday that Master Sergeant Basil Sweid, 32, was killed on Wednesday when his vehicle overturned during operational activity. The military says 37 soldiers and one civilian contractor have been killed in southern Lebanon since fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollah erupted in early March.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Wednesday that there has been no American demand for Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, despite Iranian and Lebanese demands. Meanwhile, the Lebanese military noted that Israeli forces remain deployed in parts of the buffer zone.

In the United States, President Trump faces congressional scrutiny. On Wednesday, the Senate rejected a measure that would have restricted the president's power to wage war against Iran in a 50 to 47 vote. This request has drawn criticism from House Republicans like Rep. Don Bacon, who expressed hesitation to provide funds to Iran, and Rep. Mike Lawler, who argued any final deal must address enriched uranium.

Public sentiment appears critical of the intervention. A Quinnipiac poll found that 60 percent of voters believe the military action in Iran was not worth it. Additionally, 61 percent of respondents believe it is likely Iran will develop nuclear weapons.

Diplomatic efforts are expected to resume next week, with Pakistani spokesperson Tahir Andrabi suggesting talks will likely restart on Tuesday.