The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned the United States that its ongoing efforts to interfere with maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz promise nothing but “irreparable defeat.”
The Corps issued the remarks in a statement on Thursday after an oil tanker trying to cross the Strait of Hormuz illegally caught fire and two others turned back, having witnessed its fate.
The vessels attempted the illegal transit after being “encouraged and incited” by the US military to use the “unsafe” route, it noted.
“These hostile actions will bring you nothing except further disgrace and an irreparable defeat that you will soon experience,” the IRGC said, addressing Washington.
“End your interventions, which have produced nothing but an energy crisis and a reduction in agricultural fertilizer supplies for the world,” the statement went on.
Iran and the US signed a memorandum of understanding last month to end the cycle arising from the latest bout of unprovoked American-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic, which had begun on February 28.
Under the understanding, Iran agreed to allow fee-free maritime transit through the strait for a period of 60 days.
In compliance with the MoU, the Islamic Republic devised a special maritime route for vessels to cross the chokepoint, while warning vessels against using illegal routes.
The US has, however, been trying to escort transit through the strait along an illegal passageway, prompting the Islamic Republic to shut the corridor until Washington ended its interference in regional maritime movement.
“The powerful naval forces of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) emphasize that the Strait of Hormuz is under our control and will remain completely closed for as long as the United States continues its hostile actions in the region. No oil tanker will be permitted to enter or leave,” the Corps added.
“Any vessel that is deceived by the United States and attempts to transit the strait without coordinating with the Islamic Republic of Iran will meet the same fate.”
