• Source:JND
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West Asia Crisis: Amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Saturday announced that it will impose "new rules" over the country's coastline in the Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. In its statement, the IRGC reportedly asserted that the resource will be "a source of security and prosperity for the region". It also confirmed that the decision is backed by the current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

The statement came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports will continue until Tehran fully opens the Strait of Hormuz. "We will make the coastline a source of pride and power for the dear people of Iran and a source of security and prosperity for the region," the IRGC said in its statement, reported Al Jazeera.

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The recent escalation occurred after the Trump administration rejected Iran's proposal to reopen the critical chokepoint if the US removed its blockade. The movement of ships through the Hormuz has been affected for over two months since the war began between Iran and the joint forces of the US and Israel, leading to an energy crisis throughout the world.

Earlier in April, a Lloyd's List report revealed that the ships passing through the Hormuz were continuously monitored by the IRGC and are bound to pay "toll fees". The report suggested that the countries were paying USD 2 million to ensure safe passage through the chokepoint.

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Iran has also sought the US' recognition of its control over the region, further assuring that the tolls will be shared with Oman. US President Donald Trump asserted that the American Navy will "interdict every vessel" paying a toll to Iran for safe passage.

He also warned that the Iranian boats that deploy mines to choke the traffic will be "detected and shot" by the US forces.


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