Iran war day 118: IRGC rejects new Hormuz route; Rubio to meet GCC leaders

Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard warns against alternative route in the Strait of Hormuz as top US diplomat to meet Gulf officials.Published On 25 Jun 2026US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived for a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Bahrain, where he is expected to reassure regional allies that Washington will protect their security and economic interests as it seeks to reach a peace deal with Iran.At the same time, differences remain over the future of Iran’s nuclear programme. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said its inspectors will return to Iran’s nuclear sites, but Tehran insisted inspections will resume only once a final agreement with the United States has been reached.Meanwhile, tensions continue in Lebanon despite ongoing diplomacy and a ceasefire. Two people were killed in an Israeli strike on the southern city of Nabatieh while Israeli Defence Minister Israel-katz" class="entity-link entity-person" data-entity-id="4249" data-entity-type="person">Israel Katz said Israeli forces would remain in southern Lebanon even if the US called for a withdrawal.Here is what we know:In Iran Iran warns ships against new Hormuz route: The navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned vessels not to use what it called an “unapproved” shipping lane through the Strait of Hormuz, saying the route was created without Tehran’s consent and ships must use Iranian-designated corridors or risk enforcement action. Oman earlier had released guidelines for transiting the strait in coordination with the International Maritime Organization of the United Nations. Iran accuses NATO of complicity in war: Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused NATO of being complicit in what it called an “unlawful war of aggression” after NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said European allies supported the US and Israeli strikes. Tehran said NATO members involved, including Italy and Romania, must be held accountable for their role. More South Korean ships transit Hormuz: Five additional South Korean-operated vessels have safely sailed through the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a further easing of shipping restrictions. South Korea said 13 of its ships remain in the strategic waterway.