Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has released a new map outlining areas of the Strait of Hormuz it says fall under its naval control, according to state-affiliated media reports.
The delineated zone stretches between maritime lines connecting Iran’s Qeshm Island to the United Arab Emirates’ Umm al-Quwain in the west, and from Iran’s Mount Mobarak to the UAE’s Fujairah emirate in the east.
Officials did not clarify whether the newly defined area represents an expansion of previous claims or a reassertion of existing boundaries.
The map outlines a broad geographical zone that, if enforced, could significantly affect maritime navigation and energy exports in the Gulf.
Analysts note that the eastern boundary extends beyond Fujairah, a critical location previously used by the UAE to export oil while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
The positioning of the new lines may limit that option by extending Iran’s asserted control into areas adjacent to UAE territorial waters.
This development could alter existing logistical routes and raise questions about access to key shipping lanes in the region.
The extent to which these claims will be operationalized remains unclear.
The announcement comes amid continued tensions involving Iran, the United States, and regional actors over control of the strategic waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz has been a focal point of conflict following military strikes, retaliatory actions, and disruptions to maritime traffic earlier this year.
A temporary ceasefire was arranged in April through Pakistani mediation, followed by talks that did not result in a lasting agreement.
Subsequently, the United States imposed a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime movements in the area.
The latest move by the IRGC reflects the ongoing volatility surrounding the strait and its significance to global energy flows.