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Iran said Monday that its forces blocked six vessels attempting to pass through an unauthorized route in the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the day, alleging the move was intended to provoke U.S. forces operating in the area.
The vessels allegedly switched off their navigation and positioning systems before trying to cross the southern section of the strategic waterway through an "illegal and unsafe" route, an informed source told state-run IRIB.
One of the six vessels was involved in an unspecified incident during the attempted transit, while the other five were forced back into the Persian Gulf under Iranian control, the report said.
Iranian authorities did not identify the vessels, disclose their flags or crews, or provide further details about the incident.
The report said the designated shipping lane through the Strait of Hormuz had been clearly established, warning that alternative routes were dangerous and impassable.
The latest incident comes as Tehran and Washington remain at odds over shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz following the collapse of their June ceasefire.
Iran insists that commercial vessels use routes designated by Tehran and rejects a U.S.-backed southern corridor through Omani waters, warning that ships that ignore its instructions could face interception.
The U.S. reinstated its naval blockade of Iranian ports on July 15 after the ceasefire collapsed, while allowing neutral commercial vessels bound for non-Iranian destinations to continue transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. naval forces have since stepped up patrols and enforcement around the waterway.
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