IRGC stops four US-backed ships in Strait of Hormuz

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced on Tuesday that it had stopped four ships attempting to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has declared closed to all shipping. In a statement, the IRGC accused the vessels of seeking to breach the Iranian-enforced closure with the support of the "terrorist American army." The IRGC said the ships were halted by a combination of missile and drone strikes.

The IRGC Navy firmly declared that shipowners, like the leaders of some southern Persian Gulf states, should not be deceived by the baseless support of the terrorist American army and should heed the warnings and announcements of the IRGC Navy. Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month, stating it would remain shut until U.S. interventions in the waterway end. The IRGC has repeatedly warned that it alone determines safe passage and has fired on vessels that attempt to use unauthorized routes.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic waterway through which about 20% of the world's oil passes. The closure has raised concerns about global oil supplies and regional stability. According to Mehr News Agency, the IRGC's action underscores the heightened tensions between Iran and the United States in the region.