Iran has instructed vessels to use alternative routes through the Strait of Hormuz due to the presence of sea mines in the main shipping lanes. The move comes amid a temporary two-week truce agreed with the United States.
In a statement reported by local media, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said, “All ships intending to transit the Strait of Hormuz are hereby notified that to comply with maritime safety principles and to avoid possible collisions with sea mines, they should take alternative routes for traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.”
The Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil chokepoint, handles about 20 percent of the world’s crude exports. Iran’s partial blockade since early March has pushed oil prices higher, intensifying geopolitical tensions and causing shipping delays.
The ceasefire was reached just before a U.S. deadline for potential military action, highlighting the fragility of the negotiations.
While the temporary reopening offers short-term relief for shipping and energy markets, analysts caution that unexploded mines and regional instability continue to pose risks.
Iran’s directive includes detailed instructions for entry and exit along the new routes, reflecting a focus on maritime safety while maintaining strategic leverage in the Gulf.
Experts note that although the move eases immediate disruptions, uncertainty still weighs on global energy security and trade through the region.
