Iran says it stopped six vessels over unauthorized transit of the Strait of Hormuz

Iranian state television said on Sunday, 26 July 2026 (4 Mordad 1405), that six vessels which had attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz outside the route designated by Tehran and without authorization were intercepted and stopped.

The action is the latest under the transit permit mechanism Tehran has applied to the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks. On Saturday, 18 July 2026 (27 Tir 1405), the Revolutionary Guard navy had reported stopping four vessels on the same grounds.

On the same day, Iranian media reported that an oil tanker exploded in the Strait of Hormuz after deviating from the announced route and striking a mine. Traffic through the waterway had fallen to six confirmed crossings on Friday, 24 July 2026, and the drop has kept insurance and freight costs elevated for Persian Gulf energy cargoes.