The IRGC has told ships that passage through the Strait of Hormuz is “not allowed”, an EU naval mission official has said.

The strait ⁠is the world’s most vital oil export route, which connects ⁠the biggest Gulf oil producers, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq ​and the United ‌Arab Emirates, with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian ‌Sea.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations has said such an order would not be legally binding under international law unless lawfully enforced.

Meanwhile, the US transportation department has told commercial vessels to stay away from the Gulf, saying it is subject to “significant military activity”.

The Qatari Ministry of Transport said earlier that maritime navigation has been temporarily suspended in Qatar.