Iran guards turn back six vessels in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) Navy has intercepted six vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz through routes not approved by Iranian authorities, according to Iranian state television.

A state television correspondent reported on Monday, July 27, that the vessels were stopped overnight after allegedly attempting to use unauthorised shipping lanes. “Last night, six vessels that attempted to transit through a route other than the designated one were stopped by the IRGC Navy with warning shots and turned back,” the correspondent said during a broadcast from the Gulf.

Earlier, Iranian state television reported that one vessel had been involved in an “incident” but did not provide further details. The latest development comes two days after the Revolutionary Guards said they had intercepted four vessels attempting to pass through the southern section of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the IRGC, warning shots were fired before those vessels were turned back. Iran has effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the latest Middle East conflict in late February, raising concerns over the security of one of the world’s busiest maritime oil and gas transit routes.

No immediate response has been issued by the countries or shipping companies involved in the reported incidents, and the claims made by Iranian state media have not been independently verified.