TEHRAN, July 25 (Xinhua) -- The Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) stopped four vessels seeking to cross the Strait of Hormuz through the southern route within the past 24 hours, state-run IRIB TV reported Saturday.

This frame grab taken from AFPTV video footage on July 12, 2026 shows cargo ships anchoring near the Strait of Hormuz off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates at Khor Fakkan. (File photo: AFP)

The report described the southern route as "illegal and unsafe," saying the vessels changed course after warning shots were fired.

It added that vessels using the southern route in recent days have experienced incidents and lost assets.

Iran tightened its grip on the strait on Feb. 28, barring safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following their joint strikes on Iranian territory.

In recent days, the U.S. military has launched multiple waves of strikes against Iranian targets, saying they were in response to Iranian attacks on vessels in the strait and aimed at "degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping."

Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. military bases and facilities in the region.