IRGC warns military vessels in Strait of Hormuz will violate ceasefire

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Sunday the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains under “smart control and management” and warned that any military vessels approaching the waterway would be treated as a violation of the ceasefire and met with a firm response.

In a statement released by its affiliated Fars News Agency, the IRGC said: “any military vessels… attempt to approach the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the ceasefire and will be met with a firm and forceful response,” adding that the passage remains open to non-military shipping under "specific regulations."

The warning came as tensions escalated following US moves to restrict maritime activity in the Gulf after nuclear talks with Tehran collapsed in Islamabad.

Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the US Navy would begin “BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” insisting Iran must reopen the waterway. He also described the situation as “THIS IS WORLD EXTORTION,” and warned that hostile actions against US or commercial vessels would be met with force.

Following Trump's remarks, the IRGC warned it retained control of the waterway, saying: "any wrong move will trap the enemy in deadly whirlpools in the strait,"

The breakdown in negotiations followed high-level talks in Pakistan, where US Vice President JD Vance said no agreement had been reached with Iranian officials over Tehran’s nuclear program. “We have not reached an agreement,” he told reporters, adding that Washington had made its red lines clear.

Following nearly 40 days of war that began after the US and Israel launched a campaign against Iran on February 28, Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, mediated by Pakistan to open a diplomatic window that could lead to a permanent truce.

During the war, Tehran tightened control over the Strait and effectively limited commercial access. The chokepoint handles roughly 20 percent of global seaborne oil trade, and its disruption pushed global oil prices up by 40 to 50 percent.