‘Will Be Destroyed If…’: Iranian Navy Warns Ships Transiting Strait Of Hormuz Without Permit

The Iranian Navy has informed commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz that they must obtain prior approval before transiting the critical waterway. It warned vessels via radio that any ship attempting to pass without permission would face destruction, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

“You must receive permission from Iranian Sepah navy for passing through the strait. If any vessel tries to transit without permission, will be destroyed,” the message said. The Sepah is a special operations unit under the command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The warning underscored that there has been no immediate easing of maritime restrictions even after US President Donald Trump announced a 14-day suspension of attacks

on Iran.

Iran’s IRGC-affiliated Fars news agency reported that oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz have been stopped after Israel allegedly breached the ceasefire by launching a wave of strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The warning came after US President announced a 14-day suspension of attacks on Iran, conditional on the “complete, immediate, and safe” reopening of the strait.

“For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said in response to Trump’s message.

Despite a 14-day ceasefire announced by Trump earlier on Wednesday, there has been no immediate easing of maritime controls.

The developments have left much of the shipping traffic in limbo. Reports indicated that many vessels remain stationary in the Gulf, while warplanes continue to patrol the skies over the Persian Gulf, highlighting the fragile security environment.

Global shipping operators are now scrambling to assess risks. Danish shipping giant Maersk said it is “working with urgency” to evaluate the situation, adding that the ceasefire does not yet provide “full maritime certainty.”

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most vital energy corridors, handling roughly a fifth of global oil supplies along with other key goods.