Iran Warns Ships Off Unauthorized Hormuz Routes as 93 Weekend Transits Trail Pre-War Levels
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jun 25
Iran Warns Ships Off Unauthorized Hormuz Routes as 93 Weekend Transits Trail Pre-War Levels
3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jun 25
Summary
Iran's Revolutionary Guard told shipowners any Strait of Hormuz transit route not coordinated with Tehran is "unacceptable and dangerous," and said vessels must use only Iranian-designated corridors and communication channels.
The warning followed a Saturday notice from a naval information group recommending a southern route along Omani waters, with transponders on, after confirming that corridor was clear of mines.
Traffic has only partly recovered since last week's U.S.-Iran memorandum to reopen the waterway: MarineTraffic counted 93 weekend transits—triple the prior comparable period—but still below the more than 100 ships a day seen before the war.
Tuesday saw 31 verified commercial and energy-vessel crossings, with operators still mixing Iranian, Omani and IMO route patterns rather than returning to normal traffic.
U.S. sanctions on Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority and analyst warnings that Tehran could retain operational control suggest oil flows may stay structurally lower even if the conflict eases.
With Iran now charging millions for passage, is the era of free transit through the Strait of Hormuz officially over?
Despite a US-Iran deal, why is the IRGC seizing control and dictating new, costly rules for passage?
Strait of Hormuz in Crisis: The 2026 Closure, Iran’s Leverage, and the New Normal for Global Oil and LNG Trade
Overview
As of June 2026, the Strait of Hormuz is at the center of global uncertainty due to Iran’s renewed closure declaration. This move has led shipping companies to largely avoid the area, causing a collapse in maritime traffic and raising serious concerns about global oil supply, energy prices, and international trade. Iran’s unprecedented demand for payment to pass through the Strait has introduced a new toll system, increasing costs and complications for commercial shipping. This situation not only disrupts vital energy flows but also sets a risky precedent for international waters, highlighting the region’s fragile stability and the far-reaching impact of geopolitical tensions.