Iran declares new Hormuz route 'unacceptable and dangerous,' warns against ships transiting without approval

Oil tankers and cargo vessels remain anchored off Port Sultan Qaboos on June 21, 2026 in Muscat, Oman. Elke Scholiers | Getty Images Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned shipowners on Wednesday that any new transit route through the Strait of Hormuz established without coordination with Tehran is "unacceptable and dangerous," threatening actions against vessels that ignore its instructions. The stern warning underscores Tehran's resolve to retain control over the Strait of Hormuz and to resist transits that bypass its authorization. It also highlights the lingering uncertainty facing shipowners navigating the Strait even after the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding last week to reopen the strategically vital energy artery. The IRGC Navy said that only the shipping routes designated by Iran are permitted for passage, and that coordination with Iranian forces via the designated communication channel is mandatory, according to Iranian local media . "Navigation outside these routes is highly dangerous and prohibited, and we warn all vessels to strictly avoid any movement outside the designated corridors," the IRGC Navy said, according to the report. The warning came after a key naval information group had proposed alternative shipping corridors on Saturday, asking shipowners to consider transiting the strait along the southern route with their transponder signals on. …