Iran Military Threatens to Bar Hormuz Passage for Those Taking Frozen Assets

Iran’s military warned it would block passage through the Strait of Hormuz for any country or company that accepts frozen Iranian assets under U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to compensate vessels damaged in the waterway.

A spokesman for Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the command that coordinates Iran’s armed forces, said in a July 28 statement that Tehran was warning “all companies and countries” against acquiring frozen Iranian funds under the U.S. president’s proposal. Iran’s military would no longer allow any vessel belonging to those parties to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the spokesman said.

He accused the US of trying to use Iran’s frozen assets to compensate for ship damage caused by what he called illegal intrusions into shipping lanes south of the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to stir instability.

The move is “an aggressive and illegal measure” aimed at fueling instability in the region, he added.

Earlier, Trump wrote on Truth Social on July 23 that, until further notice, any damage to ships, cargo or anything related to them would be compensated with Iranian funds “occupied and controlled” by the US.

Ko Jung-sam, Hankyung.com reporter, jsk@hankyung.com