Finance
Iran's revolutionary guards tell ships passage through Strait of Hormuz 'not allowed', EU naval mission official says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 1, 2026
1 min readLast updated: March 1, 2026
Quick Summary
EU naval mission Aspides reports that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issued VHF warnings stating “no ship is allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz,” heightening fears of disruption to global oil flows through this vital chokepoint, though Tehran has not formally confirmed the order.
Iran's Guards Warn Ships Against Strait of Hormuz Passage, EU Official Reports
EU Naval Mission Reports and Strategic Importance of the Strait
Incident Overview
Feb 28 (Reuters) - An official from the European Union's naval mission Aspides said on Saturday that vessels have been receiving VHF transmission from Iran's Revolutionary Guards saying "no ship is allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz".
Significance of the Strait of Hormuz
Global Oil Export Route
The strait is the world's most vital oil export route, which connects the biggest Gulf oil producers, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Iran's Position and Historical Context
Official Response
The official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said Iran had not formally confirmed any such order.
Previous Threats
Retaliatory Measures
Tehran has for years threatened to block the narrow waterway in retaliation for any attack on the Islamic Republic.
(Reporting by Renee Maltezou; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
Key Takeaways
- •Iran’s IRGC broadcast VHF messages instructing vessels that passage through the Strait of Hormuz is not allowed, per an EU Aspides official (washingtonpost.com).
- •The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime corridor accounting for around 20% of global oil shipments; any disruption could significantly impact global energy markets (cnbc.com).
- •Although Iran has not formally confirmed the directive, the message follows its longstanding practice of threatening closure of the strait in response to perceived aggression, as seen in past years (en.wikipedia.org)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Iran's revolutionary guards tell ships passage through Strait of Hormuz 'not allowed', EU naval mission official says
1What did Iran's Revolutionary Guards communicate to ships in the Strait of Hormuz?
Iran's Revolutionary Guards sent VHF transmissions telling vessels that no ship is allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz.
2Has Iran officially confirmed the Strait of Hormuz shipping restriction?
No, Iran has not formally confirmed any orders restricting ship passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
3Why is the Strait of Hormuz significant to global finance?
The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most vital oil export route, linking major Gulf oil producers with global markets.
4Which countries depend on the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports?
Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates use the Strait of Hormuz for exporting oil.
