IRGC denies direct hotline with US, as Trump warns of ceasefire violations in Strait of Hormuz

The spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) denied claims by American officials regarding the establishment of a direct hotline between Iran and the United States concerning the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a "sheer lie". "Following claims by US officials that a direct hotline has been established between Iran and America regarding the Strait of Hormuz, it is declared that this matter is a sheer lie and is strongly denied; this has not happened and will not happen." This is what General Mohabi, the IRGC spokesperson, wrote on social media. He further emphasised that "the Strait of Hormuz is Iranian territory and has nothing to do with the US." Coinciding with this stance, Iranian state television reported that at least three foreign oil tankers attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz "without authorisation" have turned back after warnings from the IRGC. Reaction from Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs In a related development, Esmaeil Baqaei, the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued a statement addressing Iran's neighbours in the Persian Gulf, Israel, and the US, emphasising Iran's right to legitimate self-defence. "The southern neighbours must be held accountable for their role in the United States' attacks on Iran," Baqaei wrote in a post on the social media platform X. He added, "It must be clear to everyone that Iran's military capabilities guarantee the inherent right of the Iranian people to legitimate self-defence in the face of aggression and crimes, while also ensuring peace and stability in the region." Trump's claim of drone attacks and ceasefire violations These positions by Iranian officials were taken after US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran had violated the ceasefire agreement by launching four suicide drones at ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has launched at least four one-way attack drones toward ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz," Trump wrote on the social media network Truth Social. The US President added that one of these drones directly struck the upper deck of a large cargo ship. According to him, the ship was damaged but managed to continue its course. Trump also claimed that the three other drones were shot down, describing the action as a "foolish violation of the ceasefire agreement." Meanwhile, amid rising tensions, the head of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) announced that since Tuesday, June 23, 115 ships and 2,500 seafarers have been evacuated from the Strait of Hormuz.