Iran says it controls Strait of Hormuz and has stopped 30 ships from crossing

Iran has prevented 30 ships from making unauthorised crossings through the Strait of Hormuz since 22nd August, saying it has full control over maritime traffic in the area.

The Mehr news agency quoted informed sources as saying that the armed forces had intercepted attempts to cross the waterway without authorisation. The sources said shipping through routes approved by Tehran is currently taking place at a minimal and limited level, subject to prior coordination and payment of the required fees.

READ: Iran’s parliament speaker rejects US Treasury chief’s claims over economic pressure

The sources said maritime freight traffic had fallen sharply compared with the period before the outbreak of the war in January 2026, when more than 1,500 oil tankers and 1,700 commercial vessels crossed the strait. They said this reflected an almost complete halt to commercial activity and maritime traffic under the current circumstances.

The sources also rejected US reports and claims about mine-clearing operations in the waterway, saying there was no official data or documentation to support them.

They also disputed figures being circulated about the volume of oil exports, describing them as unsupported data and suggesting they were part of a media campaign led by Washington to influence global energy and trade markets.

READ: Rulers of Muslim nations should recognise ‘true enemy,’ says Iran’s supreme leader