IRGC warns of ‘deadly vortex’ after Trump orders Hormuz blockade

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned of a “deadly vortex” for enemies in the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump ordered a “complete blockade” of the strategic waterway.

The warning came after US-Iran talks in Islamabad ended without an agreement to end the ongoing conflict. In a statement, the IRGC’s naval command said all traffic in the strait was under full control of Iranian armed forces and cautioned against any miscalculation.

Iranian deputy parliament speaker Haji Babaei said the strait remains fully under Iran’s control and that vessels would be required to pay transit fees in Iranian rials. He added that 250 lawmakers had backed a plan asserting control over the waterway, calling it non-negotiable.

During the negotiations, Iranian media reported that disagreements over Tehran’s nuclear programme and the status of the Strait stalled progress.

Meanwhile, the United States Navy reportedly sent two destroyers into the strait as part of efforts to secure the route. US officials said the ships destroyed an Iranian surveillance drone approaching one of the vessels and were preparing to clear naval mines.

However, Iranian authorities denied that US warships had entered the strait.

The US Central Command said the destroyers, identified as USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and USS Michael Murphy, moved through the strait into the Persian Gulf to locate and remove mines.

Trump said the US Navy would begin intercepting vessels that pay tolls to Iran, stating that ships doing so would not have safe passage in international waters.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, handles about 20 percent of global oil and gas transit, making it one of the world’s most critical energy routes.