Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said it continues to
enforce control over the Strait of Hormuz. In the past 24 hours 26 merchant
ships and tankers transited the strait after receiving Iranian permission and
coordination, the IRGC said, adding that all transits must obtain permission and
that using other routes will be treated as disruptive. It said several vessels
tried to enter the Persian Gulf last night by tampering with and disabling
navigation systems; after multiple radio warnings IRGC naval units intercepted
two ships and forced the others to turn back. The statement accused U.S. forces
of violating a ceasefire by firing several missiles into an unoccupied area near
Bandar Abbas airport, causing no damage, and said IRGC forces struck the U.S.
base from which the attack originated. The IRGC warned the U.S. would face a
severe response if such actions recur.
