Home · World · Oct 7 archive
Iran Plans to Block 'Illegal' Routes in Strait of Hormuz
Confirmed
In Short: An adviser to Iran's Revolutionary Guards has announced plans to block what Tehran deems as 'illegal' routes in the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports from Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) and Türkiye Today (Türkiye).
According to Arabnews (Saudi Arabia), Mohammadreza Naqdi, an adviser to the Revolutionary Guards’ Commander, stated that routes created by blasting rocky passages in the strategic waterway will be closed, challenging the narrative that Gulf oil exports are regaining pre-war levels.
Türkiye Today (Türkiye) reported similar statements from Naqdi, who added that Iranian forces have full control over the strait and would soon block unauthorized routes that emerged in its rocky sections.
Both publications noted that Naqdi claimed these routes were being used by small boats to smuggle oil and transfer it to tankers, thereby disputing the idea that the strait is effectively open due to increased oil shipments.
Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) reported that a seven-day moving average for crude exports from the region was 18.3 million barrels per day on September 30, with volumes topping pre-war levels on 14 days in September.
Türkiye Today (Türkiye) provided additional context, noting that Kpler estimated 21 liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes exited the Strait of Hormuz in September, up from 15 in June, marking the highest monthly figure since the conflict began.
Despite these reports, Naqdi maintained that the volume of smuggled oil was very small and that the strait remains closed until Iran's legitimate demands are met.
Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) reported that the IRGC has consistently denied that seaborne crude flows in the strait are rebounding thanks to US Navy help, with another IRGC adviser, Majid Mirahmadi, stating that a daily average of 10 ships transit the waterway against an average of 125 before the war.
Türkiye Today (Türkiye) cited U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) as saying that American forces had supported more than 2,000 commercial vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz, helping move more than 1 billion barrels of crude oil from Gulf partner nations over the previous several months.
Both publications agreed that Iran's Revolutionary Guards are preparing to close unauthorized routes in the Strait of Hormuz, challenging the notion that the waterway is effectively open despite increased oil flows.
The accounts diverge on the extent of oil smuggling and the impact of US support on commercial shipping, but they concur that Iran maintains control over the strait and plans to block unauthorized passages.
What this adds
The reports from Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) and Türkiye Today (Türkiye) do not establish the exact timing or method of blocking the unauthorized routes.
The sources have not provided details on how the closure of these routes will affect international shipping and trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
Background
Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, said on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until seven conditions set out in a June interim agreement with the US are met, Nournews reported.
Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told foreign ambassadors and diplomats in Tehran that Iran's proposal to resolve the dispute with the US could lead to the Strait of Hormuz reopening within seven days if accepted.
What's confirmed
- According to Arabnews (Saudi Arabia), Mohammadreza Naqdi, an adviser to the Revolutionary Guards’ Commander, stated that routes created by blasting rocky passages in the strategic waterway will be closed, challenging the narrative that Gulf oil exports are regaining pre-war levels.
- Türkiye Today (Türkiye) reported similar statements from Naqdi, who added that Iranian forces have full control over the strait and would soon block unauthorized routes that emerged in its rocky sections.
- Both publications noted that Naqdi claimed these routes were being used by small boats to smuggle oil and transfer it to tankers, thereby disputing the idea that the strait is effectively open due to increased oil shipments.
- Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) reported that a seven-day moving average for crude exports from the region was 18.3 million barrels per day on September 30, with volumes topping pre-war levels on 14 days in September.
- Türkiye Today (Türkiye) provided additional context, noting that Kpler estimated 21 liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes exited the Strait of Hormuz in September, up from 15 in June, marking the highest monthly figure since the conflict began.
- Despite these reports, Naqdi maintained that the volume of smuggled oil was very small and that the strait remains closed until Iran's legitimate demands are met.
- Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) reported that the IRGC has consistently denied that seaborne crude flows in the strait are rebounding thanks to US Navy help, with another IRGC adviser, Majid Mirahmadi, stating that a daily average of 10 ships transit the waterway against an average of 125 before the war.
- Türkiye Today (Türkiye) cited U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) as saying that American forces had supported more than 2,000 commercial vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz, helping move more than 1 billion barrels of crude oil from Gulf partner nations over the previous several months.
- Both publications agreed that Iran's Revolutionary Guards are preparing to close unauthorized routes in the Strait of Hormuz, challenging the notion that the waterway is effectively open despite increased oil flows.
- The accounts diverge on the extent of oil smuggling and the impact of US support on commercial shipping, but they concur that Iran maintains control over the strait and plans to block unauthorized passages.
What's still developing
- DUBAI: Transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz deemed illegal by Iran will soon be closed, an adviser to the Revolutionary Guards’ Commander told the semi-official Fars News Agency on Wednesday, referring to the southern pathway hugging Oman’s coast.
- That included Gulf oil sent via Hormuz, the Red Sea, and from terminals and ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman.
- The remarks came as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday during a visit to Athens that Iran had " lost complete control of the Straits," pointing to the recovery in regional oil flows.
- Vice President JD Vance echoed that assessment, arguing that Iranian attacks on commercial shipping were "largely failing" and had not been enough to halt the flow of oil and gas.
- Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, President Donald Trump said millions of barrels of oil had been delivered through the waterway over the previous couple of days, with flows reaching levels that were "even and sometimes exceeding" those recorded before the war.