Iran Warns Ships Against Bypassing Hormuz Route as Gulf Tensions Escalate

Iran has warned commercial vessels against bypassing its designated shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, saying any attempt to adopt alternative passage arrangements could heighten tensions in the Gulf as military exchanges between Tehran and Washington continue despite a fragile ceasefire.

The warning came on Sunday as United States and Iranian forces traded fresh attacks across the strategic waterway, highlighting the vulnerability of the Pakistan-brokered agreement intended to end months of hostilities that began with the war launched by the United States and Israel in February.

The conflict disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and sent shockwaves through global energy markets before a ceasefire took effect in April. However, intermittent military confrontations have continued across the Gulf, with the vital shipping lane remaining a major flashpoint.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early Sunday that it had struck 10 Iranian military targets, describing the operation as a response to what it called continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping.

Iran, in turn, said it retaliated by launching strikes against US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. Both Gulf nations condemned the attacks.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most strategically important maritime corridors, carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil exports and liquefied natural gas shipments under normal conditions.

Since the conflict, Iran has insisted that vessels transiting the strait use a corridor close to its coastline. However, in recent days, dozens of commercial ships have reportedly navigated closer to the Omani side of the waterway instead.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any attempt to disregard Tehran's preferred navigation arrangement could complicate efforts to fully restore normal shipping operations.

"Any attempt to adopt new or separate arrangements compared to what is underway by the Islamic Republic of Iran will only lead to more complicated situations and delays in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and will increase the tensions," Araghchi said.

He urged all parties to respect the existing memorandum of understanding governing navigation through the waterway.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards also announced that they had intensified measures to regulate maritime traffic through the strait, warning that vessels violating the agreed procedures would face stricter enforcement.

Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, said Tehran's management of the waterway would prevent what he described as Washington's "hegemonic dreams" in the region from succeeding.

Ceasefire Under Renewed Pressure

Under the memorandum of understanding reached earlier this month, Iran agreed to permit the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz without levying charges for an initial period of 60 days.

The agreement also committed both the United States and Iran, together with their respective allies, to refrain from initiating military action or threatening the use of force against each other.

Despite that understanding, both governments have repeatedly accused each other of violating the ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump warned on Saturday that Iran would "no longer exist" if Washington were compelled to resume military operations.

According to Trump, recent US airstrikes targeted Iranian missile storage facilities, drone sites and coastal radar installations after Tehran allegedly violated the ceasefire agreement again.

CENTCOM said the latest operation followed an Iranian drone attack targeting the Panama-flagged oil tanker Kiku, adding that similar strikes had also been carried out on Friday.

Lebanon Tensions Add to Regional Uncertainty

Regional tensions also intensified after Israel launched fresh strikes in Lebanon, drawing condemnation from Tehran, which described the attacks as a "blatant violation" of the recently signed truce agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

The agreement seeks to establish a pathway toward peace between both countries and includes plans to disarm the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah warned that the agreement could trigger internal political conflict in Lebanon, expressing doubts over its implementation.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei insisted that Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory remained a key requirement for any lasting regional peace settlement.

Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also reaffirmed Tehran's commitment to pursuing what it described as efforts to end Israeli occupation in Lebanon during discussions with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Lebanese state media reported another Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Sunday, while the Israeli military confirmed that one of its soldiers had been killed during fighting in the area.

The renewed exchanges in both the Gulf and Lebanon have further raised concerns about the durability of the current ceasefire arrangements and the potential impact of renewed instability on global energy supplies and regional security.

Iran has warned commercial vessels against bypassing its designated shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, saying any attempt to adopt alternative passage arrangements could heighten tensions in the Gulf as military exchanges between Tehran and Washington continue despite a fragile ceasefire.

The warning came on Sunday as United States and Iranian forces traded fresh attacks across the strategic waterway, highlighting the vulnerability of the Pakistan-brokered agreement intended to end months of hostilities that began with the war launched by the United States and Israel in February.

The conflict disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and sent shockwaves through global energy markets before a ceasefire took effect in April. However, intermittent military confrontations have continued across the Gulf, with the vital shipping lane remaining a major flashpoint.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early Sunday that it had struck 10 Iranian military targets, describing the operation as a response to what it called continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping.

Iran, in turn, said it retaliated by launching strikes against US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. Both Gulf nations condemned the attacks.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most strategically important maritime corridors, carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil exports and liquefied natural gas shipments under normal conditions.

Since the conflict, Iran has insisted that vessels transiting the strait use a corridor close to its coastline. However, in recent days, dozens of commercial ships have reportedly navigated closer to the Omani side of the waterway instead.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any attempt to disregard Tehran's preferred navigation arrangement could complicate efforts to fully restore normal shipping operations.

"Any attempt to adopt new or separate arrangements compared to what is underway by the Islamic Republic of Iran will only lead to more complicated situations and delays in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and will increase the tensions," Araghchi said.

He urged all parties to respect the existing memorandum of understanding governing navigation through the waterway.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards also announced that they had intensified measures to regulate maritime traffic through the strait, warning that vessels violating the agreed procedures would face stricter enforcement.

Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, said Tehran's management of the waterway would prevent what he described as Washington's "hegemonic dreams" in the region from succeeding.

Ceasefire Under Renewed Pressure

Under the memorandum of understanding reached earlier this month, Iran agreed to permit the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz without levying charges for an initial period of 60 days.

The agreement also committed both the United States and Iran, together with their respective allies, to refrain from initiating military action or threatening the use of force against each other.

Despite that understanding, both governments have repeatedly accused each other of violating the ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump warned on Saturday that Iran would "no longer exist" if Washington were compelled to resume military operations.

According to Trump, recent US airstrikes targeted Iranian missile storage facilities, drone sites and coastal radar installations after Tehran allegedly violated the ceasefire agreement again.

CENTCOM said the latest operation followed an Iranian drone attack targeting the Panama-flagged oil tanker Kiku, adding that similar strikes had also been carried out on Friday.

Lebanon Tensions Add to Regional Uncertainty

Regional tensions also intensified after Israel launched fresh strikes in Lebanon, drawing condemnation from Tehran, which described the attacks as a "blatant violation" of the recently signed truce agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

The agreement seeks to establish a pathway toward peace between both countries and includes plans to disarm the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah warned that the agreement could trigger internal political conflict in Lebanon, expressing doubts over its implementation.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei insisted that Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory remained a key requirement for any lasting regional peace settlement.

Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also reaffirmed Tehran's commitment to pursuing what it described as efforts to end Israeli occupation in Lebanon during discussions with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Lebanese state media reported another Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Sunday, while the Israeli military confirmed that one of its soldiers had been killed during fighting in the area.

The renewed exchanges in both the Gulf and Lebanon have further raised concerns about the durability of the current ceasefire arrangements and the potential impact of renewed instability on global energy supplies and regional security.

AFP