Iran launches at least two missiles at ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
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The number of ships in the Strait of Hormuz's Omani shipping lanes has sharply decreased, and Iran continues to strengthen its control over the waterways.
According to Mars Finance, on July 5th, reports indicated a significant decrease in the number of ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman on Sunday. This followed a sharp turnaround the previous day by several vessels attempting to leave the strait along the route, highlighting Iran's continued efforts to strengthen its control over this strategic waterway. An oil tanker that turned back on Saturday appears to be attempting to pass again and has now passed the northernmost tip of Oman's Musandem Peninsula. Earlier, another oil tanker also traveled along the same route and publicly announced its intention to navigate, currently broadcasting its position information in the Gulf of Oman. Other vessels are opting for unauthorized transit. A Suezmax crude oil tanker appeared in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday after its last position broadcast in the Persian Gulf on Saturday. Between Friday and Saturday, at least eight vessels suddenly turned back while transiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani route. Four of these subsequently changed course northward, exiting the strait via the Iranian side of the route. There is currently no official explanation for these sudden turns. However, Iran has repeatedly stated that ships can only transit the Strait of Hormuz via designated and authorized routes. According to Kpler data, 19 ships transited the Strait of Hormuz in both directions on Saturday, but only one ship publicly indicated it would enter the strait via the Omani coastal route, compared to 13 ships using that route on Friday. These statistics only cover observable navigation activities.
In the past three days, the US has escorted only 70 merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz, down from the pre-conflict daily average of 138.
According to data released on Odaily 5 by the US-led Joint Maritime Information Center, a total of 70 merchant ships escorted by the US passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the 72 hours from July 2 to 4, lower than the pre-conflict daily average of 138 ships. The announcement also showed that the daily number of US-coordinated escort vessels passing through the Strait continued to decline: 33 ships on July 2, 29 on July 3, and 18 on July 4. The Strait of Hormuz currently has two navigation channels: the southern channel closer to Oman and the northern channel controlled by Iran. The announcement assesses the overall threat level of the Strait of Hormuz as "high," stating that there remains a risk of mines in the strait waters, and mine clearance and survey operations are underway throughout the area. The announcement also notes that the ongoing interference with global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) throughout the strait will continue to pose a threat to the safety of ship navigation.
Iranian lawmaker: The US must recognize the Iranian regime in the Strait of Hormuz
Odaily Odaily reports that following the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's announcement of strikes against 85 US military facilities in the region, a senior Iranian lawmaker stated that the US must "recognize the new administrative system in the Strait of Hormuz." According to official media reports, Ibrahim Aziz, chairman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, made the remarks on social media, commenting on the Revolutionary Guard's so-called "preliminary response" to US aggression. He stated, "There is no other way: the new Iranian regime in the Strait of Hormuz must be recognized."
Iran plans to charge a service fee for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international standards.
According to BlockBeats, on July 5th, Iranian Ambassador to China Abdulreza Rahmani Fazli stated in a media interview during the 14th World Peace Forum in Beijing on July 4th that Iran plans to charge a service fee for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with international standards. Fazli stated that before the outbreak of the Iran-Israel war, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz was unimpeded. Currently, Iran has not announced any fees or tariffs, but plans to charge a service fee according to international standards to cover routine expenses such as ensuring navigational safety, navigation, and environmental protection—a practice consistent with other waterways worldwide. Regarding the current situation of the Strait of Hormuz, Fazli said that navigation through the strait is gradually returning to normal, and order is being restored in the passage jointly managed by Iran and Oman.
Iran warns external countries against creating a crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to BlockBeats, on July 4th, Xinhua News Agency reported that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron issued a joint statement on July 3rd, stating that both countries would cooperate with Oman to ensure the safety of shipping in its sovereign territorial waters. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi responded on the 4th, stating that the Strait of Hormuz is not a venue for military displays by external countries, and Iran opposes any military actions that could affect the security of this waterway. As the guarantor of security in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will remain highly vigilant regarding any related military movements. The security of the Strait of Hormuz should be jointly maintained by the littoral states, and any actions that create a crisis will be subject to the consequences of the parties involved. He also emphasized that the warning was "serious."
Iranian Parliament Speaker: Strait of Hormuz should be jointly managed by Iran and Oman
Odaily Odaily reports that Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad al-Kalibaf stated that the Strait of Hormuz should be jointly managed by Iran and Oman. Kalibaf made this statement during a meeting with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Haibat Khalabsi. Regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz, Kalibaf pointed out that a recent memorandum of understanding signed with the United States stipulates that the Strait of Hormuz should be jointly managed by Iran and Oman. He indicated that Iran is currently seeking opinions from Persian Gulf littoral states, including Iraq, on this matter. (Xinhua)