Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Iran on Thursday issued new navigation guidance for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, directing ships to use alternative routes to reduce the risk of collisions with suspected sea mines in the main channel, as uncertainty persists over the future of the vital maritime corridor.
The advisory, released by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that parts of the strait may no longer be safe for standard passage following recent hostilities. Ship operators were instructed to follow newly designated entry and exit lanes designed to bypass areas where mines could be present.
The announcement comes a day after Iran reversed its decision to reopen the strait, a key artery for global energy supplies through which around 20 percent of the world’s oil typically flows. Tehran said the move was triggered by large-scale Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, which it considers a violation of the temporary ceasefire framework with the United States.
While the truce between Washington and Tehran has largely held, it remains fragile and subject to competing interpretations. U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that the agreement requires Iran to fully reopen the waterway and surrender its uranium stockpile. Iranian officials, however, insist the deal allows them to maintain control over the strait and continue their nuclear activities under certain conditions.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said Tehran’s priority is ensuring maritime safety, but emphasized that full access through the strait will only be restored once regional tensions subside.
In remarks to the BBC, Khatibzadeh said Iran would guarantee safe passage for commercial vessels in line with international law, but only after what he described as U.S. and Israeli “aggression” ends. He accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire through its continued military operations in Lebanon, which he said directly influenced Iran’s decision to restrict access to the waterway.
The use of alternative routes reflects mounting concern over maritime hazards in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes. Even the perception of mines in the Strait of Hormuz can disrupt tanker traffic, increase insurance costs, and send shockwaves through global oil markets.
With further negotiations expected in Islamabad, the future of the strait remains closely tied to broader geopolitical developments. Until a clearer understanding is reached, shipping through the area is likely to remain constrained, with safety concerns taking precedence over speed and efficiency.
