The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has fired warning shots at two vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without authorization over the past 24 hours.
According to data from the maritime intelligence firm Kpler, nine out of eleven vessels that transited the Strait on Tuesday chose the route close to Iranian waters.
The ships were primarily involved in transporting crude oil, petroleum products, liquefied gas, methanol, and iron ore, and were linked to Iran’s maritime trade.
Kpler said the vast majority of ships transiting the strategic waterway are now using the route designated by Tehran.
The IRGC’s actions come as the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) reported that more than 200 non-Iranian vessels have coordinated with the authority to transit the strait in the three weeks since the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Tehran and Washington.
The PGSA was established as part of Iran’s efforts to tighten control over shipping in and around the strait following the outbreak of the US-Israeli war against Iran in late February.
The developments come amid escalating tensions following repeated US violations of the June 17 MoU.
On July 7, Washington revoked a license authorizing Iranian oil sales and launched airstrikes targeting Iranian military positions after attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States has since conducted multiple waves of strikes against Iranian territory. President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire “over” during a NATO summit in Ankara on July 8.
Source: Press tv