Iran forces target over 10 oil tankers within the Strait Of Hormuz allegedly for failing to comply with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) warnings. A senior IRGC naval official on Wednesday said that it has seized 'full control' of the Strait of Hormuz.
This move has halted all traffic through the world's most vital oil transit chokepoint. While talking to Fars news agency, senior IRGC naval official Moammad Akbarzadeh revealed that the strategic waterway is now under the absolute authority of the Guard's naval forces.
“It is now impossible for any oil or commercial vessel to transit the Strait following our declaration of its closure,” the naval official told the news agency. He further added that the blockade is being strictly enforced.
This follows US President Donald Trumps remark that his country's navy will escort tankers through the strait if necessary. “The US Navy will be escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible, and if necessary,” he said on the Turthe Social platform.
He asserted that “no matter what” the US will ensure the “FREE FLOW of ENERGY to the WORLD.”
ALSO READ: Chinese Shipping Giant Cosco Suspends Gulf Services Amid Strait Of Hormuz Restrictions
Amid their blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian authorities have said that they will allow only Chinese vessels to pass through the vital maritime chokepoint, in reciprocation to Beijing's supportive stance towards Tehran in the ongoing war in the Middle East.
China has maintained a pro-Iran stance during the ongoing war between the United States, Israel, and Iran, with Beijing terming the airstrikes on Tehran as “unacceptable”.
The state news agency Xinhua reported that Foreign Minister Wang Yi has told his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, that “blatant killing of a sovereign leader” - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - and the “incitement of regime change was unacceptable.
What is the Strait of Hormuz?
The vital maritime chokepoint provides open sea access to countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, among others. Roughly, more than 20% of the global oil supplies pass through the Strait before they proceed into the Asian markets, including China and India.
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