Tehran: In one of the strongest warnings so far, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and any ship attempting to pass through this “strategic waterway” will face a “harsh response”.
This latest statement by the IRGC has led to further uncertainty amid the growing energy crisis around the grove. Nearly 20% of the world’s oil is transported through the Strait.
This comes at a time when an Indian tanker was contemplating to start its voyage through the waterway. Iran has said it would widen restrictions to ships linked to countries backing the United States and Israel.
“We will prevent the passage of any ships to or from the ports of countries allied with and supporting America and Israel to any destination and through any passage,” the country’s authorities have said in another statement, as reported by News 18.
This effectively means that a tanker will not be allowed to pass even if its destination is a country considered ‘friendly’ by Iran, if the cargo it contains has been loaded in one that Tehran holds ‘hostile’.
It also means that Tehran may not only target military-linked movements but could also move against commercial vessels associated with nations seen as supporting Washington and Tel Aviv.
The West Asia crisis is nearing a month with no end to the hostilities in sight. Several countries, including those in the West, are starting to face a crisis with movement through the Strait being disrupted.
Tehran is said to have demanded full control of the Strait, including the right to collect toll from vessels, as one of the conditions to halt the conflict.
Over a hundred vessels are said to be stuck for days in the Gulf of Persia, waiting for a signal to sail towards the Arabian Sea through the Strait. Apart from vessel hire charges that are going up by the day, insurance premiums have also increased due to the risks involved.
At least 20 tankers carrying oil and gas to India are also known to be stuck there.
