Iran Warns Ships to Stick to Designated Routes in Hormuz Strait: No Guarantees for Safe Passage

The Iranian Hormuz Strait Authority announced Thursday evening that any movement through the waterway outside of its designated routes will not be guaranteed safe passage, as reported by CNBC.

The authority stated that the consequences of navigating through unauthorized routes in the strait fall on the ship's owner and its investors. On Wednesday, the Revolutionary Guards declared that coordination with Iranian authorities is mandatory for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, warning ships against violation.

Moreover, on Thursday, the United Nations' International Maritime Organization suspended efforts to evacuate hundreds of ships and thousands of sailors from the Strait of Hormuz following an attack on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated in a release: "I was informed today about an attack in the Gulf of Oman on a vessel that traversed the Strait of Hormuz. This ship was not sailing within the framework of the organization's orchestrated evacuation."

Bloomberg reported that at least four vessels, including two giant oil tankers, turned back while trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz via a route near the Omani coast.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held a phone conversation with his Omani counterpart Badr Al-Busaidi, discussing the latest developments concerning maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and temporary measures planned to be in effect for 60 days.