Key facts
- Iran warned oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz to follow Tehran-approved routes or face forceful repercussions.
- Iran views control of the Strait of Hormuz as a higher priority than its nuclear program.
- The U.S. and Iran have exchanged fire over the Strait of Hormuz.
- U.S. officials are prepared for an escalation to deter further attacks on commercial vessels.
- Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has come to a standstill.
Iran has issued a stern warning to oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, mandating adherence to routes approved by Tehran or facing forceful repercussions. This move underscores Iran's strategic prioritization of controlling the vital waterway over its nuclear program, a stance that escalates tensions with the United States and challenges recent diplomatic efforts. The warning, broadcast via Iranian state television, also cautioned against any U.S. interference, promising a swift and decisive response.
This development comes as tanker traffic in the Strait, while recovering from a near standstill during recent conflicts, remains significantly below pre-war levels. Iran continues to assert its authority over navigation in the chokepoint, claiming the right to dictate routes and impose transit fees after a 60-day interim arrangement expires. This interpretation is contested by the U.S. and Gulf Arab states, who view the agreement as a facilitation of safe passage rather than a grant of control.
The prioritization of Hormuz control over the nuclear issue appears rooted in a deep distrust of the U.S., particularly following President Trump's withdrawal from the nuclear deal. Tehran believes that conceding on Hormuz would invite further U.S. demands on other fronts. The interim peace deal, which includes a memorandum of understanding for toll-free passage for 60 days, is interpreted by Iran as U.S. recognition of its management rights, a claim rejected by Washington and its regional allies.
The United States is prepared for a continued exchange of fire with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran’s attacks on commercial vessels in the chokepoint, U.S. officials have told Axios, while both sides continued to trade strikes early on Thursday. The U.S. is prepared for an escalation that could last from a day or two to multiple weeks to get Iran to back down from attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a U.S. official told Axios. Iran’s next moves will determine how long and how severe the U.S. response will be, according to the official. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces completed an additional round of strikes against Iran, “to further degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping and innocent civilian mariners in the Strait of Hormuz,” the U.S. military said. Iran said that it had retaliated with strikes at Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar in a further escalation in the region. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s top negotiator, posted on X on Thursday that “America still hasn’t learned that bullying and breaking promises are no longer cost-free. Let me put it plainly: if you strike, you’ll get hit.” “Don’t flail around pointlessly, or you’ll sink even deeper: the Strait of Hormuz will only open with “Iranian arrangements,” not American threats,” the chief Iranian negotiator said. The U.S. Administration believes it has more room for escalation as millions of barrels of oil have managed to exit the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks, easing concerns about oil price spikes, U.S. officials have told Axios. President Trump on Thursday claimed from Air Force One that Iran “called a little while ago”, and that “they want to make a deal so badly.” But tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has come to a standstill since Wednesday as shipowners and operators are wary of how long this re-escalation will last.