Iran Says Ships Must Use Tehran-designated Hormuz Route

TEHRAN, July 2 (dpa) -- Iran's military has once again asserted its control over the Strait of Hormuz, the key waterway for the export of energy from the region, saying vessels may only transit via the route designated by Tehran.

"Any failure to comply with this requirement ... will be met with an immediate and resolute response from the armed forces," the military leadership said on Thursday in a statement carried by Iranian media.

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is a key element in the framework agreement reached by the United States and Iran nearly three weeks ago. 

The US is insisting that ships must be able to freely transit the strait without paying charges.

Tehran effectively brought shipping traffic in the waterway to a standstill with threats and attacks after the US and Israel launched their initial strikes on Iran at the end of February.

--NNN-dpa