Iran Warns of Military Response Against Sinokor for Violating Strait of Hormuz Order

Tensions are escalating as Iran signals potential physical and military responses against South Korean shipping companies passing through the Strait of Hormuz. According to an analysis from Dr. Choi Jun-young's 'Globe Research Institute,' Iran has specifically targeted and criticized the South Korean shipping company Sinokor, claiming its vessels have violated the transit order of the Strait of Hormuz.

Sinokor Targeted by Iran for "Order Violation"

Iran stated it has been monitoring vessels that violated the transit order it established for the Strait of Hormuz over the past three months, noting that Sinokor vessels from South Korea committed the most violations. The Iranian side indicated it would no longer overlook these actions, mentioning the possibility of physical and military responses. According to the video, approximately seven vessels are reported to have been attacked so far, and these measures by Iran are interpreted as an intention to re-establish its right to blockade the Strait of Hormuz.

The actual blockade power of the Strait of Hormuz has weakened compared to the past, with statistics showing it has recovered to 80–85% of pre-war levels in terms of crude oil. In this environment, some shipping companies have adopted a "shuttle operation" method, transporting crude oil from the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Iraq inside the strait and performing ship-to-ship transfers near the Port of Fujairah in the UAE, which is outside the strait. In this process, Sinokor vessels account for approximately 37% of all transiting vessels and are leading these shuttle operations. From Iran's perspective, the structure makes Sinokor, which neutralizes control over the strait, an inevitable major threat.

Sinokor has grown into a shipping company that operates the largest number of Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) in the world by continuously purchasing VLCCs since before the war and entering into numerous charter contracts through joint ventures with global shipping lines. Including charter volumes, they possess the capability to mobilize more than 70 vessels in addition to the approximately 80 VLCCs they own. They secure cargo volume by repeating shuttle operations that travel in and out of the strait on approximately five-day cycles. The video explained that to avoid leaving signals when passing through the strait, they operate with lights turned off and close to the coast of Oman.

U.S. 'Reverse Blockade' Strategy and Iran's Economic Isolation

The Middle East situation surrounding Iran currently exhibits a "stillness within movement" pattern. Instead of a direct strike through regime change, the United States has shifted its course to a "reverse blockade" strategy that tightens Iran's financial lifelines. The United States is strangling Iran by thoroughly blocking vessels departing from Iran and goods entering Iran at sea. As a result, Iran is reported to be recording economic losses of approximately $25 billion. In particular, as this U.S. blockade strengthens, the effectiveness of U.S. sanctions is becoming tangible, as even the volume of Iranian oil disguised as Malaysian oil to be sent to China is decreasing.

U.S. pressure is becoming more sophisticated through financial sanctions. U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent forecasted that Iran will record a negative growth of approximately 25% next year and expressed a hardline stance to continue sanctions on Iran's overseas funds. This figure is serious enough to be compared to the shock during the collapse of the Soviet Union. In particular, Secretary Bessent increased the level of pressure by making an unconventional proposal to pay up to 30% of the amount as a reward to those who provide meaningful information regarding the location of Iran's overseas funds. In response, Iran is attempting to increase cryptocurrency transactions, but the blocking of financial networks is becoming a reality, as seen by the closure of bank branches in places like Dubai and Istanbul due to transactions with Iran.

Internal economic damage is also becoming visible. As crude oil exports are blocked, confusion in the supply of flour is occurring, and power shortages are causing blackouts. In particular, signs of public discontent are appearing, such as smartphone data fees, which are closely related to people's daily lives, surging by nearly 40% in recent weeks. The video reported that irritation and anxiety among the public are growing due to the increase in data fees and decreased speeds.

Display of the 'Mecca Alliance' and Tehran Four-Party Talks

Amidst this pressure, a four-party meeting was held in Tehran, the capital of Iran, where delegations from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan met with Iran. This meeting saw the attendance of powerful figures from each country, including Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan's Army Chief of Staff, and Türkiye's intelligence chief. In the case of Pakistan, the Chief of Staff was described as having more power than the president, and Türkiye's intelligence chief was mentioned as a key aide who is fully trusted by President Erdoğan.

This meeting was also a stage to display the presence of the recently formed 'Mecca Alliance (the Islamic version of NATO).' Centered around Saudi Arabia, the Mecca Alliance sought to show the world through negotiations with Iran that they are not merely individual nations but a powerful collective capable of a joint response. By participating in negotiations with Iran jointly, the Mecca Alliance countries, including Saudi Arabia, demonstrated that they are an organization that actually functions beyond being a simple alliance. As Iran has agreed to their negotiation proposals, the international community's attention is focused on the future changes in the Middle East situation and the direction of Iran's response.

Source: original video (YouTube)