The shipping lanes near Oman in the Strait of Hormuz have emptied after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued threats over maritime radio, demanding vessels use only Iran-approved routes, according to a single source. Traffic has since shifted almost entirely to the Iranian-controlled northern corridor.
The Strait of Hormuz is again under strain as the IRGC escalates its maritime pressure campaign. A new radio threat, reported Saturday evening by a single source, warned vessels near Oman's coast to use only Iran-authorized routes. Ship traffic in the Omani corridor — which had carried dozens of vessels in recent weeks — has since dropped sharply, with most traffic now passing near Iran's side.
This is the latest in a series of Iranian moves to reassert control over the strait, through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes. As The Zioneer reported earlier Saturday, the IRGC earlier issued similar threats and the strait nearly emptied of shipping. A week ago, Oman opened an alternative route past the Musandam Peninsula, but traffic on it had already fallen after earlier IRGC statements. The United States has been escorting vessels through the Omani lane, and Washington has warned that Iranian attempts to impose tolls are a red line.
The current situation remains fluid: the source is a single channel, and it is unclear whether the threat has been followed by any physical interdiction or attack. No Iranian military statement has been confirmed.
2 developments
- DevelopingIran threatens new Omani shipping lane near Hormuz as traffic plunges
- DevelopingIran loses control of Strait of Hormuz as tankers shift to Omani waters
- StrongIRGC rocket hits merchant ship off Oman after radio warning; 3 vessels turn back
- DevelopingVessels continue transiting Omani shipping lane in Strait of Hormuz despite Iranian threats
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
- Internal intake