Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has stressed that the vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz must use only the routes officially designated and announced by Iranian authorities. 

 

It made the remarks in a statement published on the IRGC’s official news outlet Sepah News while warning that ships’ movement through other routes is dangerous and prohibited.

 

The IRGC’s Navy made the announcement after the Oman Maritime Security Centre released guidelines for outbound ships’ passage through the strait under an arrangement with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

 

Iran and Oman today issued a joint statement saying that they have agreed to establish a joint working group to negotiate the future administration of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and reaffirming their commitment to ensuring vessels’ safe passage through the waterway in accordance with international law.

 

Separately, IMO also announced an evacuation plan for more than eleven thousand seafarers still stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.

 

IMO Secretary-General, in a statement, said the IMO has secured the necessary safety guarantees and verified safe navigation conditions to support the evacuation operation.

 

The operation follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States (US) to end the war.