Hormuz flips scales; Europe abandons US and grants Iran keys to maritime security
TEHRAN, May 16 (YPA) – Iranian media revealed that European parties have entered into direct negotiations with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Naval Force, in a striking development reflecting new shifts in the maritime security equation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The move aims to secure the passage of their vessels through the strategic strait, following the faltering of American plans that promised to protect navigation there.
Iranian television reported today, Saturday, that European ships have already begun coordinating with the IRGC Navy to ensure safe and smooth passage through the strait. This comes at a time when Iran continues to enforce its own navigation system, which regulates ship movement through specific routes under tight surveillance and continuous naval patrols.
According to the report, international mariners have started communicating directly with Iranian naval forces to facilitate passage. Crews of European ships were quoted praising the Iranian measures, emphasizing that “the Iranian Navy’s respect for navigation laws is excellent” and that coordination with Tehran has become a practical option to ensure vessel safety.
In a clear message, the IRGC Navy announced its full readiness to secure all vessels wishing to transit the Strait of Hormuz, confirming its capability to meet protection requests within a new mechanism for managing navigation.
Earlier today, the Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament), Ebrahim Azizi, revealed that Tehran has prepared a new “professional mechanism” for managing shipping traffic in the strait, which will be announced soon.
Azizi explained that its services will be designated for commercial ships and entities cooperating with Iran, with fees imposed in exchange for the services provided, while the strait will remain closed to what he described as the “operators of the freedom project.”
Conversely, the American failure appeared more evident after “The Financial Times” newspaper revealed that US insurance companies have not yet insured any vessel transiting the strait, despite President Donald Trump’s announcement of a massive $40 billion program to protect navigation.
The report noted that the American program has not been practically activated because it fails to meet the requirements of commercial ships, in addition to the absence of the actual military escort that was promised. This has prompted shipping companies and beneficiary countries to search for more realistic alternatives, ultimately finding themselves turning toward Tehran.
YPA