Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya command warns tankers to follow “approved” Strait of Hormuz routes or face a “forceful response”

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya joint military command warned on Thursday that all oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz must use what it called “approved” routes and adhere to Iranian navigation protocols, saying deviations would be met with an immediate “forceful response.” In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the command said any failure to comply, deviation from the designated route, or disregard for the navigation protocols of the Islamic Republic of Iran “will be met with an immediate and forceful response from the armed forces,” adding that such actions would endanger the security of violating vessels.

The warning also framed any “disruptive action” in the strait as a threat to Iran’s national sovereignty, saying it would be met with “rapid and decisive action.” The statement did not specify what operational steps Iranian forces would take in response, nor did it provide details about how the “approved” routes would be communicated to, monitored for, or enforced against specific vessels.

The dispute over jurisdiction and navigation authority has played out alongside U.S.-led regional coordination for maritime security. In the same broader reporting, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal Aid and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran defines the routes in the strait, not U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), according to a translation of his remarks posted on X.

The Hill reported that CENTCOM had released a statement on Wednesday about meetings in Bahrain with military officials from across the Middle East, describing the gathering as underscoring commitments to the “free flow of commerce” through the Strait of Hormuz. Gharibabadi’s comment disputed the idea that a regional summit could establish the legal order and security for the Persian Gulf, according to the reporting.

The new warning comes after a period of heightened concern for commercial shipping through the strait, a chokepoint that carries a large share of global energy shipments. While the latest Iranian statement again emphasizes navigation protocols and compliance, it also indicates that Iran views deviations as an immediate security issue rather than a matter for maritime dispute resolution.

U.S. and allied navies have previously framed the strait as an area requiring freedom of navigation and have warned against actions they characterize as threatening commercial transit. Iran, in turn, has asserted that the strait falls under its command for purposes of security and traffic management, according to the reporting summarized in The Hill.

For shipping operators, the practical impact of Iran’s warning would be increased operational scrutiny and potential changes to route planning, speed, and reporting practices to align with Iranian-designated protocols. The statement also increases the stakes for compliance because it describes consequences in broad terms, tied to “any failure” or “disregard” of the designated navigation framework.

The near-term situation will likely depend on how maritime authorities and naval forces interpret and communicate the scope of “approved routes,” and whether future encounters between vessels and naval assets occur. Iran’s warning also sets a clear rhetorical threshold for enforcement, even as U.S. regional coordination continues to stress protection of commerce through the waterway.