Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released a new map on Monday showing the portion of the Strait of Hormuz it claims is under its control [1].
This move signals an escalation in regional tensions over navigation rights in one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. By formally delineating a zone of military control, the IRGC is asserting a physical presence that could impact international shipping and naval operations.
The map marks a specific zone extending from the western tip of Iran’s Qeshm Island to the UAE’s Umm al-Quwain emirate in the west [2]. In the east, the claimed area stretches from Iran’s Mount Mobarak to the UAE’s Emirate of Fujairah [2].
The IRGC said the map delineates the area it considers under its military control [1]. This action comes amid heightened tensions regarding the freedom of navigation within the strait [1].
The IRGC did not provide specific coordinates or a legal justification for the boundaries in the released materials. The move follows a period of increased friction between regional powers and international naval forces tasked with securing the waterway [1].
“The IRGC released a new map on Monday showing the portion of the Strait of Hormuz it claims is under its control.”
The assertion of a specific 'control zone' by the IRGC represents a shift from general threats to a defined geographical claim. By including areas extending toward the UAE, Iran is signaling its intent to monitor or restrict traffic in a way that challenges international maritime law and the sovereignty of neighboring states. This increases the risk of miscalculation between the IRGC and foreign navies patrolling the region.
