Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, Jun 29: Iran's top diplomat on Sunday warned that any attempt by ships to bypass Tehran's preferred route through the Strait of Hormuz would "increase tensions" in West Asia, amid renewed exchanges of attacks between US and Iranian forces.
The warning came as a Pakistan-brokered agreement aimed at ending the war launched by the United States and Israel in February faced fresh challenges. The conflict had disrupted shipping through the strategic waterway and triggered concerns in global energy markets.
Although a ceasefire came into effect in April, sporadic violence has continued in the Gulf region, with movements of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz repeatedly becoming a flashpoint.
Iran reacted strongly this week after Oman announced, in coordination with the International Maritime Organization, an alternative shipping route through the strait along the Omani coastline.
Tehran has continued to insist on maintaining control over passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy route through which around one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas shipments normally pass.
The strait consists of Iranian and Omani territorial waters. Under customary international law, both countries are generally not allowed to block passage or impose tolls on vessels using the waterway.
However, Iran restricted most shipping through the strait during the war, giving it significant economic leverage that it now appears unwilling to surrender.
The situation has led to repeated confrontations with Washington. The latest incident occurred early Sunday when the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had carried out strikes on 10 Iranian military targets over what it called "continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping".
Iran responded by saying it launched retaliatory strikes against US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. Both Gulf nations condemned the attacks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said adopting arrangements outside Tehran's current system for managing the strait would create "more complicated situations", delay reopening of the waterway and increase tensions.
A memorandum released earlier stated that Iran would determine the future administration of the strait through dialogue with Oman and other Gulf countries, while keeping it aligned with international law.
Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it was taking measures to control traffic through the waterway and warned that vessels violating its instructions would face stronger action.
Mohammad Mokhber, adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, said on X that Washington's "hegemonic dreams" in the region would not be achieved as long as Iran controlled the strait.
Experts warned that further incidents around Hormuz were likely. Analysts said Iran could use prolonged negotiations combined with controlled pressure on shipping routes to strengthen its position.
Despite several exchanges between the two sides, no major casualties were reported. However, Qatar's Interior Ministry said one of its citizens was killed after being struck by shrapnel from "military operations in the area".
The victim was found on Sunday after his boat failed to return to port on Saturday as expected.