Iran blocks Pakistan-bound cargo ship at Strait of Hormuz citing “lack of permission”

Iran has stopped a Pakistan-bound container ship from crossing the strategic Strait of Hormuz, citing the vessel’s failure to obtain the required authorization and follow maritime protocols. The ship, identified as SELEN, was reportedly turned back by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy while it was attempting to transit the vital waterway en route to Karachi.

According to Iranian authorities, the vessel did not comply with legal procedures required for passing through the strait. IRGC Navy commander Alireza Tangsiri said the ship was denied entry due to “lack of permission” and failure to coordinate with Iran’s maritime authorities, stressing that all vessels must follow official clearance rules before transiting the route.

Shipping data indicated that the container ship, sailing under the flag of St Kitts and Nevis, had departed from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates and was carrying food cargo destined for Pakistan’s Karachi port. The vessel was reportedly last tracked in the Persian Gulf after being turned back from the entrance of the strait.

The incident comes amid rising geopolitical tensions and heightened restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global maritime corridor through which a significant share of the world’s oil and trade flows. Any disruption or enforcement action in the narrow waterway is closely monitored due to its potential impact on international shipping and energy markets.