Iran's Revolutionary Guard warns alternative Strait of Hormuz routes are unsafe

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy said the entrances and exits of the Strait of Hormuz are fully under its control and warned that proposed alternative shipping routes through the waterway are not safe and should not be used. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran's parliament and head of the country's negotiating delegation, said the security of the Strait of Hormuz depends on the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the region. Ghalibaf added that Iranian officials have repeatedly stated the strait will not return to its pre-war condition. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it has redirected nine commercial vessels and neutralized one ship since restarting a maritime blockade against Iran on July 14. CENTCOM said the measures were taken in response to Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.