TEHRAN, March 27 (Bernama-Xinhua) — More than 350 vessels are waiting for Iran’s permission to transit the Strait of Hormuz, 27 days into the United States (US) and Israeli war against Iran, according to Fars News Agency on Thursday, reported Xinhua.
Citing the latest reports and field developments, Fars News Agency said the strategic waterway remains closed to the US, Israel, and their allies, with no vessel allowed to pass without Iran’s permission.
According to the report, the vessels have been ordered to power down their systems and remain stationary.
Among the waiting vessels are 25 supertankers, 200 oil tankers, and 70 LNG and CNG carriers, Fars said, adding that without Iran’s approval, they can neither proceed nor dock at regional ports, as sea routes remain under the Iranian armed forces’ full control.
In a post on the social media platform X on Tuesday, Navy Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Alireza Tangsiri said that any vessel passing through the Strait of Hormuz must fully coordinate with Iran’s maritime authorities.
On Feb. 28, Israel and the US launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians.
Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US bases and assets in West Asia, and tightening its hold on the Strait of Hormuz, blocking vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the US.
— BERNAMA-XINHUA