A senior Iranian lawmaker has warned that any United States intervention in the Strait of Hormuz would be regarded by Tehran as a violation of the ongoing, indefinite ceasefire between the two countries. The statement was made on Monday by Ebrahim Azizi, a prominent Iranian politician and former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who currently serves as a member of parliament and head of its National Security and Foreign Policy Committee.
Azizi stated that the Strait of Hormuz is considered a fundamental right of Iran, emphasising that decisions regarding maritime activity in the waterway fall under Iranian authority, including the approval of vessel passage. He previously made similar remarks to BBC Tehran, reiterating Iran’s position on control over maritime traffic through the strategically significant route.
In a separate development, the United States has transferred 22 crew members of the Iranian-flagged vessel MV Tusca to Pakistan. The ship had been seized earlier in the Oman Sea. According to a spokesperson for the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), Captain Tim Hawkins, the sailors were handed over to Pakistani authorities and are expected to be repatriated to Iran.
The vessel was intercepted on 20 April by United States forces. Washington stated that the seizure was carried out due to violations of naval restrictions imposed on Iranian ports. Iranian authorities described the incident as an act of piracy.
CENTCOM further reported that six additional individuals who had been on board the vessel were transferred last week to a regional country for return to their place of origin. These individuals are believed to be relatives of the ship’s crew members.
The situation has unfolded against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the region. According to information attributed to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), nearly 2,000 vessels have become stranded in the Strait of Hormuz since the escalation of hostilities. These ships reportedly include oil and gas tankers, bulk carriers, cargo vessels, and cruise liners, with more than 20,000 sailors and crew members affected.
The IMO has further reported that at least 19 incidents of attacks on stranded vessels have occurred in the Strait since the escalation began. These incidents are said to have resulted in at least 10 fatalities and eight injuries among seafarers.
The organisation has also warned of deteriorating conditions aboard stranded vessels in the Persian Gulf region, highlighting concerns over rapidly depleting stocks of food, fuel, and potable water. The situation has raised operational challenges for shipping traffic in one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors.
Key figures reported
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel involved | MV Tusca (Iranian-flagged container ship) |
| Crew transferred to Pakistan | 22 sailors |
| Additional personnel previously transferred | 6 individuals |
| Ships affected in Strait of Hormuz | Approximately 2,000 |
| Seafarers affected | Over 20,000 |
| Reported attacks since escalation | 19 incidents |
| Reported fatalities | 10 |
| Reported injuries | 8 |
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global maritime trade, linking the Persian Gulf to international shipping routes. The latest developments, including vessel seizures and crew transfers, continue to draw attention from maritime authorities and international organisations monitoring security and navigation in the region.