Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Friday announced that it had turned back three vessels attempting to transit the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, declaring that the route is now closed to ships linked to what it described as “enemy” ports. The move marks a further escalation in tensions in one of the world’s most critical maritime trade corridors.

In a statement carried by the IRGC’s Sepah News outlet, the Guards said their naval forces issued warnings to the ships, forcing them to retreat. The statement added that vessels traveling “to and from” ports associated with allies and supporters of the United States and Israel would not be permitted to pass through the waterway under current conditions.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf to global shipping routes, is a key artery for international oil and trade flows. Any disruption in the area has immediate implications for global energy markets and supply chains. The latest development comes amid an ongoing conflict triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran that began on February 28.

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Energy market intelligence firm Kpler reported that at least two container ships belonging to Chinese shipping giant COSCO had attempted to cross the strait but turned back after the warnings. According to analyst Rebecca Gerdes, the vessels had remained in the Gulf since the start of hostilities, and this was the first attempted transit by a major carrier since the conflict began.

The IRGC’s actions appear to contradict recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, who said on Thursday that Iran had allowed 10 oil tankers to pass through the strait as a gesture to signal its willingness to negotiate an end to the war. The differing accounts underscore the uncertainty surrounding maritime access in the region.

With tensions continuing to rise, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile, raising concerns among global stakeholders about the security of shipping lanes and the potential for further disruptions to international trade and energy supplies.

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