Strait of Hormuz: 35 ships have crossed in 24 hours – Iran reveals

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, IRGC, says it has confirmed the passage of no fewer than 35 ships through the Strait of Hormuz over the last 24 hours, including oil tankers, container ships and other commercial vessels.

The IRGC stated this on Friday, noting that the key waterway remains open to traffic with coordination and security provided by the Iranian Navy.

This is part of Iranian attempts to establish a toll system in the strait, which the US on Friday described as unacceptable.

“It would make a diplomatic deal unfeasible if they were to continue to pursue that. So it’s a threat to the world if they were trying to do that, and it’s completely illegal,” US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio said.

But Iran has moved on with the issue, with Reuters news agency reporting this week that military units have installed military checkpoints, ship vetting, diplomatic arrangements and, in some cases, security fees for safe passage.

The government has created a Persian Gulf Strait Authority and laid out a map of a self-styled controlled maritime zone it would oversee going forward.