IRGC publishes Strait of Hormuz ‘control map’, warns ships will be ‘forcefully stopped’

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy published a new map Monday formally delineating the area of the Strait of Hormuz under its control.

The force's spokesperson warned that vessels violating its transit protocols would be "forcefully stopped," with ship-tracking data showing only nine vessels moving through the passage in the previous 24 hours.

According to Iran's Fars News Agency and Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC Navy defined the controlled zone as follows:

• To the west, a line between the westernmost tip of Iran's Qeshm Island and the UAE's emirate of Umm al Quwain
• To the south, a line between Iran's Mount Mobarak and the southern coast of Fujairah in the UAE.

The map shows the area of control published by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy in the Strait of Hormuz on May 4, 2026. (Photo via Telegram)

'Violating vessels will be forcefully stopped'

IRGC Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Hossein Mohebbi said no change had been made to the management procedures of the strait but issued an unambiguous warning to all maritime actors.

"Any maritime movement by civilian and commercial vessels that complies with the transit protocols issued by the IRGC Navy and proceeds along the designated route in coordination will be safe and secure," Mohebbi said, according to Fars.

"Other maritime movements contrary to the principles announced by the IRGC Navy will face serious risks. Violating vessels will be forcefully stopped," he added.

Mohebbi said it was "essential" that all shipping companies and maritime insurers pay close attention to IRGC announcements.

May 04, 2026 02:56 PM GMT+03:00