No commercial vessel, oiler crossed Strait of Hormuz during past hours without permission: IRGC

TEHRAN-- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Monday that no commercial vessel or oil tanker has crossed the Strait of Hormuz during the past hours without the country's permission.

It made the announcement in a statement published on its official news outlet Sepah News while rejecting the US officials' "false and baseless" claims.

The IRGC added, "Other maritime movements contrary to the declared principles of its Navy will face serious risks, and the violating vessels will be stopped forcefully."

Meanwhile, IRGC Navy's Deputy Commander for Political Affairs Mohammad Akbarzadeh said on Monday any potential attack by the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz will be faced with a new operational plan by the Iranian naval forces, "which will be beyond the enemy's calculations," the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

US President Donald Trump said Sunday the United States will guide ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz safely out of the restricted waterway on Monday.

In response to Trump's claim, Iran's main military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, warned in a statement that "any foreign armed forces, especially the aggressive US army, will be attacked if they intend to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz," according to the official news agency IRNA.

Iran's army said in a statement that its naval forces on Monday warned US destroyers against approaching the Strait of Hormuz by firing cruise missiles, rockets, and combat drones at areas around them.

Iran tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz beginning Feb 28, when it barred safe passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following joint strikes on Iranian territory.

The United States imposed its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after post-ceasefire negotiations with Tehran in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, on April 11 and 12 failed to yield an agreement.