Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy have issued a warning to vessels following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, asking them not to approach the chokepoint and warning that doing so would be considered cooperation with the 'enemy', multiple news reports have said, citing Iranian state media.
The IRGC Navy has also directed vessels and their owners to only follow news updates issued by it and has said that US President Donald Trump's claims on the key waterway 'have no validity'. Any attempt to approach the Strait of Hormuz will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and the offending vessel will be targeted, news agency AFP quoted a statement published on the Guards' official Sepah News website.
The Iranian Navy has reportedly also ordered vessels to remain at the anchorage in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Iran's fresh warning has further dampened hopes of a possible end to the West Asia conflict amid a shaky ceasefire that is due to end on Wednesday.
The Strait of Hormuz closure was announced by Iran on Saturday, just one day after it announced its reopening. Two Indian-flagged tankers were fired at by Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz, carrying a few million barrels of Iraqi oil.
Both the US and Iran remain defiant on their control of the Strait of Hormuz, with the US saying the blockade of Iran's ports 'will remain in full force' until Tehran reaches a deal, and the IRGC Navy saying the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the US naval blockade of Iranian ports is in place.
