Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters issued a warning on July 3, 2026, threatening ships that cross the Strait of Hormuz via unapproved routes with a "forceful response." The military command stated that any failure to comply with designated navigation protocols would endanger the security of offending vessels and prompt immediate action from Iran’s armed forces. This announcement came a day after Qatari mediators reported "positive progress" in indirect negotiations between US and Iranian officials aimed at a peace deal.
The warning follows a security dialogue presided over by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) in Bahrain, where regional leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the "free flow of commerce" through the strait. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for global energy supplies, facilitating about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade before the US-Israel war on Iran began in late February 2026.
Although transit volumes have increased since US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17, daily crossings remain significantly below the approximately 130 crossings recorded before the conflict.
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