Iran guards warn ships against passage through Strait of Hormuz, EU official says

By Sabiu Abdullahi

An official attached to the European Union’s naval mission, Aspides, has said that ships navigating near the Strait of Hormuz are receiving radio messages from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warning that “no ship is allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz”.

The official disclosed this on Saturday, noting that the warning was transmitted via VHF radio communication to vessels operating in the strategic waterway.

Despite the development, the official, who requested anonymity, explained that Iranian authorities have not issued any formal confirmation regarding such a directive.

The European Union Naval Force Aspides has been monitoring activities in the region, especially as tensions remain high.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global oil transit route. It links major oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

Iran has, over the years, threatened to shut down the narrow channel in response to potential attacks against the Islamic Republic. The latest warning has raised fresh concerns over maritime security and global energy supply.