Iran's IRGC Claims "Complete Control" Over Strait Of Hormuz As Trump Orders US Navy To Escort Tankers

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared that it holds “complete control” over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping lanes.

The statement came after US President Donald Trump said the US Navy is ready to escort oil tankers through the waterway.

Around one-fifth of the world’s oil moves through the narrow strait, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Any disruption there can affect global energy supplies.

In a statement reported by Iran’s Fars news agency, IRGC Navy official Mohammad Akbarzadeh said the strait is fully under the control of Iran’s navy.

Iranian officials warned that ships trying to pass through could face missile or drone attacks. State-linked reports said more than 10 oil tankers have been targeted since the conflict began.

Despite the heightened tensions, shipping activity has not completely stopped.

In a rare voyage, the oil tanker Pola sailed through the Strait of Hormuz en route to a port in the United Arab Emirates to load crude.

The vessel switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracker late Monday as it approached the strait. It reappeared on ship-tracking data on Tuesday off Abu Dhabi, according to Reuters and maritime tracking sources.

Ships sometimes turn off AIS in high-risk areas to reduce the risk of being tracked or targeted.

Clarksons Research estimates that about 3,200 ships, roughly 4 percent of global ship tonnage, are currently idle in the Gulf region. This figure includes approximately 1,230 vessels that primarily operate within the Gulf.

Additionally, around 500 ships, representing about 1 percent of global tonnage, are waiting outside the Gulf near ports off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Energy markets reacted quickly to rising tensions. Brent crude rose above $82 per barrel, up over 13% since the conflict began, the highest since July 2024.

Traders fear that any sustained disruption to tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz could restrict global oil supplies.

President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that the US Navy will escort tankers through the strait “as soon as possible” to keep energy flowing.

He said the United States would ensure the free flow of energy to global markets and added that further actions could follow.

French President Emmanuel Macron said that a military operation to reopen the shipping lane is under consideration.

References: Aljazeera, timesofisrael

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