U.S. officials said Sunday their escort plan at the Strait of Hormuz may not involve Navy ships, while Iran warned Monday it will strike unauthorized transits through the narrow passage that carries a fifth of global oil.
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that U.S. forces would begin guiding ships out of the Strait on Monday morning, Middle East time, as a "humanitarian gesture". According to a U.S. media report, two U.S. officials said the escort initiative may not necessarily involve Navy vessels formally accompanying commercial ships. However, one official noted that U.S. vessels will remain in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz to deter Iranian forces from attacking commercial vessels passing through the area, if necessary.
The officials also said the U.S. military would provide commercial vessels with information on optimal maritime routes through the strait, particularly regarding channels not mined by Iranian forces.
On Monday, Ali Abdollahi, chief commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said the security of the Strait of Hormuz is under the control of the Iranian armed forces. He stressed that under no circumstances can safe passage be conducted without coordination with the armed forces.
Abdollahi emphasized that Iran has proven through action that any threat or aggression, at any level and in any region, will be met with a severe and regret-inducing reaction. He declared that Iran will preserve and firmly manage security in the strait with its full capacity.
The commander warned all commercial vessels and oil tankers to refrain from attempting to transit without coordination with the armed forces stationed there, in order to avoid putting their safety at risk.
He also cautioned that any foreign armed forces, particularly the aggressive U.S. military, will be attacked if they attempt to approach or enter the strait.
Abdollahi also urged U.S. supporters to exercise caution and avoid actions that could lead to irreversible consequences.
Any aggressive move by the United States to disrupt the current situation will only further complicate conditions and endanger the security of vessels in the area, he said.
Iran tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz beginning Feb. 28, when it barred safe passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following the latter's joint strikes on Iranian territory.
US unveils Hormuz escort plan as Iran vows to strike unauthorized ships
