Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared that it now exercises “complete control” over the Strait of Hormuz, as fresh security incidents involving commercial vessels heighten concerns over potential disruptions to one of the world’s most vital energy transit routes.
According to reports carried by Iranian state media and cited by Al Jazeera, an IRGC naval official made the assertion on Wednesday, stating that the Islamic Republic currently controls the narrow shipping corridor linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.
The statement comes amid escalating hostilities involving Iran, the United States and Israel, raising fears of further instability across the region’s maritime and energy infrastructure.
Strategic Importance of the Strait
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply typically passes. On average, about 20 million barrels per day of crude oil and petroleum products transit the waterway, connecting major Gulf producers to international markets.
Any sustained disruption to shipping in the strait has the potential to significantly impact global energy prices and supply chains.
New Incidents Reported Near Key Shipping Routes
Maritime security agencies have reported new incidents involving commercial vessels operating near the Gulf’s primary navigation corridors.
In one case, a ship sailing approximately 137 nautical miles east of Muscat reported an explosion in close proximity late Tuesday, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The vessel continued its journey, and no injuries or significant structural damage were reported.
Hours later, a separate incident occurred near the Emirati port of Fujairah. A tanker operating about seven nautical miles offshore was struck by debris from an unidentified projectile. The impact caused minor damage to the vessel’s funnel but did not result in fire, flooding or casualties, UKMTO said.
Authorities have advised vessels in the region to maintain heightened vigilance and promptly report any suspicious activity.
Shipping Activity Slows Amid Security Concerns
The deteriorating security environment has begun to affect tanker movements through the Strait of Hormuz. While the waterway has not been formally declared closed, traffic has slowed as shipowners reassess operational risks.
Some voyages continue. Ship-tracking data cited by Reuters showed the tanker Pola transiting the strait earlier this week before proceeding toward the United Arab Emirates to load crude.
However, maritime analytics firm Clarksons Research estimates that thousands of vessels remain idle across the Gulf as operators evaluate insurance, security and routing considerations.
U.S. Response and Regional Tensions
The IRGC’s claim of control follows remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump indicating that Washington could deploy naval escorts for commercial tankers if conditions deteriorate further.
With tensions escalating and sporadic attacks on commercial shipping reported, market participants are closely monitoring developments in the Strait of Hormuz, given its central role in global oil trade and energy security.