Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said it stopped two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz after they attempted to pass through an undeclared route under US military air escort, warning that American instructions to ships in the region would not go unanswered.
In a statement, the IRGC said the vessels were “misled by the US Central Command (CENTCOM)” and had ignored its warnings while operating in what it described as an “unsafe and illegal manner.”
The force said the two tankers were “struck and stopped,” adding that four other oil tankers changed course and returned to their previous positions following the incident.
🔴 This is what happened to a tanker after it ignored IRGC warnings and followed CENTCOM's orders in the Strait of Hormuz.
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) July 31, 2026
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The IRGC Navy said it maintains full control over the Strait of Hormuz under the Islamabad MoU, asserting that it would continue to safeguard the trust placed in it by the Iranian people.
The statement also accused CENTCOM of issuing “false statements” over the incident, urging shipping and insurance companies to disregard US military announcements and instead consult those involved in the incident.
The IRGC Navy reiterated its warning that “the illegal interventions, orders, and prohibitions issued by the US military towards ships in the region will not go unanswered.”
The United States has repeatedly breached the Pakistan-brokered Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of June 17 by attempting to conduct unauthorized naval maneuvers in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the Iranian Navy to intercept the ships to uphold the agreement.
Source: Iranian media (translated and edited by Al-Manar)