In a statement issued on Thursday, the public relations office of the IRGC Navy said it is exercising “smart control” over the strait with “full authority,” emphasizing that all vessels must secure permission and coordinate with the naval force before transiting the vital corridor.
“Smart control of the Strait of Hormuz is being carried out with full authority, and during the past 24 hours, 26 commercial vessels and oil tankers passed through the secure corridor after obtaining permits and coordinating with the IRGC Navy,” the statement read.
The Navy reiterated that authorization and coordination are mandatory for transit.
“As previously announced, passage through other routes will be considered a disruption and will be dealt with accordingly,” it warned.
According to the statement, several ships attempted to enter the Persian Gulf illegally after disabling or manipulating their navigation systems, prompting IRGC intervention.
“Last night, several vessels attempted to enter the Persian Gulf illegally by manipulating or turning off their navigation systems. After several radio warnings, IRGC Navy fighters stopped two of them in place, while the others were forced to turn back,” it added.
The IRGC slammed the United States for violating the ceasefire by launching missiles towards Bandar Abbas, saying Iran retaliated by targeting the American base responsible for the attack and warning Washington against further escalation.
"The terrorist American military in the region violated the ceasefire by firing several missiles at empty areas near the airport in Bandar Abbas, causing no damage. In response, the American base from which the attack originated was targeted in a retaliatory strike. If this action is repeated, the terrorist American military will face a harsh response,” the Navy said.
The statement stressed that management of the strait rests solely with the IRGC Navy and that any disruption “will be met with our decisive response.”
Iran has restricted the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and gas flows, to ships belonging to the United States and its allies that participated in or supported the US-Israeli war of aggression against the Islamic Republic.
So far, the IRGC Navy has issued passage permits for scores of vessels in accordance with Iran’s instructions for navigating the waterway.
Press TV