Iran blocks oil tanker from entering Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said early Friday that Iranian forces intercepted and barred an oil tanker from entering the Strait of Hormuz after the vessel attempted to cross the strategic waterway without coordination, linking the operation to explosions reported earlier off the southern coast near Sirik.

IRGC warns of 'extreme firmness'

Iranian state television, citing the IRGC Navy, reported that the vessel was prevented from entering the chokepoint following its failure to coordinate with Iranian maritime authorities. The elite force continues to monitor the strategic passage and will deal "with extreme firmness" with any vessel attempting to cross it without proper authorization, according to the state broadcaster.

Explosions amid US diplomatic shift

Hours earlier, Iranian state media reported explosions heard near Sirik and the major port city of Bandar Abbas, though officials initially provided no explanation for the blasts. The IRGC later connected the detonations to the tanker interception operation off the coast of Sirik in Hormozgan Province.

The incident came shortly after US President Donald Trump said he had canceled planned military strikes on Iran, saying that discussions between Washington and Tehran over a potential agreement were nearing completion.