Tehran, Apr 24 (V7N) — A rice-carrying merchant vessel has safely reached port in Iran after being escorted through the Strait of Hormuz by a naval unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to Iranian state-linked media.

The ship reportedly entered Iranian waters from the Sea of Oman and completed its journey under tight security.

Escort operation by IRGC

Iranian state media and the semi-official Fars News Agency reported that an IRGC naval unit provided protection to the vessel throughout its passage.

The operation was described as a precautionary measure to prevent what Iranian sources claimed was a possible interception attempt by US forces.

Strategic waterway

The ship passed through the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most sensitive shipping routes for global oil and trade.

Rising maritime tensions

The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region, where Iran and the United States have repeatedly accused each other of maritime interference and sanctions enforcement actions.

Iranian officials have increased naval escort operations in recent weeks, citing security threats to commercial shipping linked to regional conflicts and sanctions enforcement.

Outlook

The latest episode underscores the growing militarization of commercial shipping lanes in the Gulf, where even routine cargo movements are increasingly accompanied by armed escorts and political disputes.

END/SMA/AJ