On July 22 (local time), according to TASS news agency, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) warned shipping lines not to use the southern sea route of the Hormuz Strait, saying that this area has been mined and poses a major risk to maritime operations.
Mr. Hossein Mohebi - IRGC representative - posted a message on social network X, calling on international transport companies to avoid passing through this area.
The southern route of the Strait of Hormuz has been mined. Passing through this area means betting your entire investment," Mr. Mohebi wrote.
The IRGC did not disclose further information about the scope of the minefield, the deployment time or specific evidence related to the above statement.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy transport routes, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Arab Sea and the Indian Ocean. Most of the oil and natural gas (LNG) exported from the Middle East region must pass through this maritime route.
The new warning was issued amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran after the ceasefire agreement between the two sides broke down.
According to TASS, the new wave of confrontation began on July 8 when the US military launched many air strikes against Iran. The US said the attacks were carried out after a commercial ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz.
On the same day, US President Donald Trump announced the termination of the ceasefire agreement previously signed between the US and Iran.
In response, Iran launched attacks targeting many US military facilities in the Middle East, including Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman.
Observers believe that if the situation in the Strait of Hormuz continues to escalate, sea transport and the global energy supply chain may face more pressure, in the context that this is still one of the most important strategic shipping routes in the world.
