Tehran, March 24 (NA) – The commander of the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran, Alireza Tangsiri, said on Tuesday that any vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz must fully coordinate with Iranian maritime authorities. IRGC naval forces blocked the container ship 'SELEN', according to a statement posted on X by Tangsiri, who said the vessel was detained for 'failing to comply with required protocols' and not having a transit permit. The comments come amid heightened tensions since the start on February 28 of joint US and Israeli attacks against Tehran and other Iranian cities, which triggered Iranian retaliatory missile and drone strikes directed at Israeli and American assets in the region. Since then, Iran has tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz and restricted the passage of vessels linked to the United States and Israel, Argentina News Agency reported. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the insecurity in the waterway is a consequence of US and Israeli attacks and asserted that the measures taken by Iran comply with international law and aim to defend its sovereignty. In a phone conversation with his Malaysian counterpart, Mohamad Hasan, Araghchi indicated that the strait is closed to vessels linked to the United States, Israel, or other parties involved in the attacks, according to an official statement. The minister added that other vessels could transit the waterway as long as they do so in coordination with Iranian authorities to ensure a safe passage.
