IRANIAN armed forces have reportedly fired warning shots at four vessels near the Strait of Hormuz after the ships allegedly attempted to enter the strategic maritime corridor without prior coordination with Iranian authorities.
The incident, reported late Thursday by Anadolu Ajansi citing Iran’s Mehr News Agency, marks the latest sign of heightened military alertness around one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes.
Iranian media did not disclose the identity, nationality or purpose of the vessels involved.
The reported confrontation came amid broader military activity across southern Iran and renewed fears of instability in Gulf waters following months of conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
Separately, Fars News Agency reported that Iranian forces had launched missiles from the country’s southern region towards what it described as “specified targets”, although no further details were provided regarding the intended objectives.
The agency noted that some reports pointed to possible clashes at sea in Gulf waters, though official confirmation remained limited.
Meanwhile, Iranian state television reported explosions in the city of Jam, located in Bushehr province, were linked to the activation of air defence systems responding to what it described as hostile aerial targets.
The broadcaster had earlier reported an explosion in the area before later clarifying that Iranian air defences had intercepted unidentified airborne objects.
The developments underscore the continuing volatility in West Asia despite an existing ceasefire arrangement brokered earlier this year.
Regional tensions intensified dramatically after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran in late February.
Tehran subsequently retaliated with attacks targeting Israel and American allies in the Gulf region, while also moving to restrict maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway vital to global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
A ceasefire agreement mediated by Pakistan took effect on April 8, temporarily easing hostilities.
However, negotiations held later in Islamabad failed to secure a permanent settlement, despite efforts by both sides to reopen direct diplomatic channels.
United States President Donald Trump later announced an indefinite extension of the truce, although tensions have continued through sporadic military incidents, threats and competing diplomatic proposals.
Both Tehran and Washington are understood to have continued exchanging proposals and counterproposals in an effort to revive formal negotiations and prevent the conflict from escalating further across the Gulf region. - May 29, 2026
