Iran threatened action over unauthorized Hormuz crossings
Why it matters: The warning clouds a 60-day US-Iran deal to keep the chokepoint open and leaves future shipping fees unresolved.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned on June 25 that ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz without Tehran’s approval could face action, sharpening uncertainty over access to one of the world’s most important energy routes. The Guards said only routes designated by Iran are permitted and called any alternative corridor “unacceptable and extremely dangerous.” The warning came days after the United States and Iran signed a June 17 memorandum allowing commercial vessels to transit free of charge for 60 days. Tehran and Oman have since said they will study charges for services tied to administering the strait, while Washington has rejected any tolls or fees. Traffic has begun to recover, but shipowners are still using mixed route patterns and moving cautiously.