Iran’s joint military command warns oil tankers to follow approved Strait of Hormuz routes or face “forceful response”

Iran’s top joint military command said Thursday that all oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz must use “approved routes” designated by Tehran, warning that any failure to comply, deviation from the designated route, or disregard for navigation protocols would be met with an immediate “forceful response.” The warning was delivered through a statement carried by Iranian state media and cited by international outlets, as maritime traffic through the strait remains critical to global energy supplies.

The command, Khatam al-Anbiya, said “any failure to comply” or navigation protocol violations by “violating vessels” would endanger security and bring a rapid response, adding that “any disruptive action” in the strait would be treated as a threat to Iran’s national sovereignty. The statement did not specify what measures would be taken, nor did it detail which routes would apply to individual ships.

The warning comes amid renewed focus on who defines and enforces maritime safety rules in the waterway. Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal affairs and international cooperation, Kazem Gharibabadi, said on social media that the strait is “under Iran’s command,” adding that a military summit in Bahrain cannot establish legal order and security for the Persian Gulf.

In the days leading up to the new warning, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) had highlighted efforts to coordinate with regional militaries on protecting commerce and stability around the strait. According to reporting, CENTCOM said its engagement underscored shared commitment to the “free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz,” while Gharibabadi countered that Iran, not CENTCOM, defines the routes.

The immediate practical effect of the statement is on how tanker operators plan transits through the Strait of Hormuz and how crews interpret compliance requirements. In the near term, port authorities and shipping firms may face increased attention from insurers, vessel operators, and flag-state regulators seeking clarity on what constitutes a permitted routing path and what types of maneuvers trigger “deviation” or “disruptive action.”

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, linking Persian Gulf oil exports to major markets. Because ships follow standardized corridors, even a tightening of route restrictions or reporting expectations can raise operational delays and costs, particularly if disputes emerge over whether a vessel’s planned track satisfies the controlling party’s navigation protocols.

International reporting also referenced a recent period when shipping crossings had resumed after tensions between the United States and Iran, noting that the number of transits had risen at least temporarily after a weekend exchange of strikes. The new Iranian warning, delivered shortly after those renewed crossings, indicates Tehran is indicating that it intends to continue asserting control over what it characterizes as navigation order for the strait.

No immediate changes by other governments were described in the initial reports, and it was not clear from the accounts whether Iran’s warning was linked to a specific incident on the water. Shipping interests and regional governments are likely to watch for follow-on guidance, enforcement actions, or further public statements that clarify compliance expectations and safety procedures for vessels approaching and transiting the chokepoint.