Iran warns to block more Hormuz routes, heightening tanker risks | Mariner News

Iran has escalated maritime tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, explicitly warning regional countries against attempting to open new oil export routes and vowing to block any unauthorized transit, dramatically increasing attack risks for tankers. This aggressive posture, part of a plan agreed by Iran’s political leaders and its Revolutionary Guards, is aimed at maintaining Tehran’s control over the critical waterway, according to a senior regional official close to Tehran.

“Iran has absolutely no intention of allowing control of the Strait of Hormuz to slip from its hands,” a senior diplomat in the region briefed by Tehran told Reuters. The diplomat added that potential tactics could involve “missile and drone attacks on ships, or sending boats to scare ships away,” as Iran plans to continue what it terms a “policy of fear and threats.”

The warning follows a week that saw the highest number of attacks on tankers in the Strait since the Iran war began, leading to vessel transits dropping to their lowest level in over two months. This new, explicit threat against the development of alternative export routes signals a proactive effort by Iran to deter any circumvention of its authority.

The implications for maritime commerce are significant. Tankers operating in the region face not only the risk of direct hostile action but also increased intimidation, complicating operational planning and potentially leading to higher insurance premiums and charter rates. Furthermore, any attempt by regional oil exporters to diversify their export infrastructure away from the Strait could now be met with a direct and hostile response from Iran.