Iran Threatens Tankers in Hormuz With Forceful Response

Iran's joint military command warned Thursday that oil tankers crossing the Strait of Hormuz must follow Iranian-approved routes or face an immediate forceful response, citing a Khatam al-Anbiya statement aired on state television. The threat followed CENTCOM's July 1 Bahrain dialogue, where U.S. and regional defense leaders backed the free flow of commerce through Hormuz, and it lands as Doha talks test the Iran war memorandum. The interim deal allows 60 days of toll-free passage, while Tehran still claims control over routes and future fees. For Israel and its allies, free navigation is not a side issue: Iran must not turn a global energy chokepoint into leverage for nuclear rebuilding, Hezbollah relief or pressure on Jerusalem.