DID Press: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has warned that its pursuit of vessels using unauthorized shipping routes will extend beyond the Strait of Hormuz to other parts of the region.
In a statement, the IRGC Navy said its forces had struck the NV Sunshine, a large liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier owned by NatWit, after it allegedly attempted to transit an unauthorized route south of the Strait of Hormuz. The force claimed the vessel suffered a major fire in its engine room and propulsion system.
The IRGC Navy blamed the US military for escalating tensions in regional maritime transport, accusing Washington of interfering in shipping and insurance companies’ operations and paying bribes.
These allegations were made by the Iranian force and were not independently verified.The statement warned that shipping companies found in violation of its rules would face sanctions and that punitive measures would be imposed on vessels belonging to those companies.
The IRGC Navy further declared that enforcement against vessels using unauthorized routes would no longer be confined to the Strait of Hormuz, warning that such ships would be pursued throughout the region and face punishment.