Iran issues 'final warning' to US warship in Strait of Hormuz, bringing sides to brink

[Financial News] The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that "any warship attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz will face a strong response," declaring it would not allow the United States military to conduct mine-clearing operations there.
According to foreign media on the 12th (local time), the IRGC stated in a communiqué distributed to Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) that "under specific regulations, only non-military vessels are permitted to transit the Strait of Hormuz."
The move is seen as an attempt to put the brakes on a unilateral mine-clearing operation launched by the United States military in the Strait of Hormuz, even as three-way, face-to-face talks between Washington and the Islamic Republic of Iran, mediated by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, had just begun the previous day.
Earlier, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a statement saying that "CENTCOM forces have begun setting conditions for mine removal in the Strait of Hormuz," and announced that two US Navy guided-missile destroyers had transited the Strait of Hormuz. It was the first passage of US warships through the Strait of Hormuz since February 28, when the United States military launched military operations against the Islamic Republic of Iran. CENTCOM also indicated it intends to continue mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
With control over the Strait of Hormuz being one of the main points of contention in negotiations between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the passage of US warships through the strait was reported to have further heightened tensions between the two sides.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing a recorded radio exchange by crew members on a nearby civilian vessel, reported that IRGC naval forces tried to block the US warships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but the United States military did not heed Iran's warnings.
According to the recording, IRGC naval forces repeatedly told the US destroyer attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, "This is the final warning," while the United States military responded, "We are transiting in accordance with international law. You are not our target, and we will comply with our government's cease-fire regulations."
However, semi-official media in the Islamic Republic of Iran reported that Iranian forces coordinated their response to the United States military's passage through the Strait of Hormuz with the cease-fire negotiation team in Islamabad, Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Contrary to the US announcement that its forces had transited the Strait of Hormuz, the IRGC navy was reported as claiming that the US destroyers turned back after facing a standoff.
kaya@fnnews.com Choi Hye-rim Reporter