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Even as the US and Iran interim peace pact -- based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached last week that calls for a 60-day extended ceasefire
in the Gulf and Middle East -- tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most crucial maritime transit routes, continue to hover around. Though traffic on the energy trade route witnessed a surge since the temporary peace deal, the latest flashpoint has come after Oman announced a new United Nations approved route for vessels to transit through the Hormuz while Iran issued a warning against the new navigation route.
New Shipping Route Is 'Unacceptable', Says Iran
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), on Thursday reacted to the new shipping route and increased traffic and issued a warning. It said the new route was established without notice or coordination with Iran, calling it “unacceptable and completely dangerous.”
"The only authorized route for passing through the Strait of Hormuz is the one declared by the Islamic Republic of Iran," the Iranian force said. "Vessel traffic outside these routes is extremely dangerous and prohibited," it warned.
"Violators will be dealt with," it added, without elaborating.
There were no immediate reports of any incidents in the strait, however, on Wednesday, the IRGC threatened one tanker over the radio, with a soldier warning, "You are in range of my missiles and maybe (I) fire on you," according to the private security firm Ambrey.
Oman Says No Plans For Imposing Hormuz Fees
Oman, which announced a new shipping route to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, also informed that there were no plans from their side to charge any sort of fees from vessels using the maritime route. The new route has been approved by the United Nations.
Amidst, the British military said that a cargo ship was hit by a projectile off Oman near the UN-approved route for the Strait of Hormuz, AP reported.
A cargo ship traveling through the Strait of Hormuz on a United Nations-approved route was hit by a projectile as several tankers made their way out of the channel using the same path. This came after Iran's warning. It was promoted by a UN maritime agency.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported the attack. It said there were no casualties or any environmental impact.
The opening of an alternative passage through the vital waterway would relieve pressure on the world economy and remove Iran’s main source of leverage in ongoing peace talks with the United States.
Rubio Says US Will Ensure Hormuz Remains Free To Use
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on a visit to the Gulf to reassure American allies, said Washington was committed to the new route. Traffic through the strait has increased but is still well below prewar levels.
Oil on Thursday briefly dipped below its last prewar price of just under $73 per barrel, a sign that the market believes the situation is improving.
The two sides are still debating terms of an interim peace deal — from getting ships through the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf to the future of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Under the memorandum of understanding signed last week, the US and Iran have 60 days to iron out the details. As talks are held behind closed doors, US President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders have seemed to negotiate in public, trading threats and claiming concessions the other side denies.
With inputs from AP
