Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has released a new map outlining what it describes as the “area under its control” in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a significant portion of global oil shipments pass, according to state media reports.The map reportedly defines a maritime zone stretching between key reference points on Iran’s coast and nearby Gulf states.

In the west, it is marked by a line between Iran’s Qeshm Island and the UAE’s Umm al-Quwain emirate, while the eastern boundary extends toward Iran’s Mount Mobarak and the UAE’s Fujairah region. The IRGC presented the chart as part of its naval operational framework for managing transit through the strait.

The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the region, where maritime security has become increasingly sensitive due to overlapping military activity, drone incidents, and disputes over shipping routes. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, making any assertion of control or operational authority particularly significant for global markets and naval planning.

According to Iranian state media, the IRGC described the mapped zone as an operational area where vessels are expected to comply with Iranian naval instructions for safe passage. Officials also warned that ships failing to follow established protocols could face enforcement actions, including interception by naval forces.

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The release of the map has added to ongoing uncertainty in the Gulf, where commercial shipping has already faced disruptions due to regional instability. Maritime operators have increasingly relied on escorts, rerouting, and real-time tracking to navigate the waterway amid competing security claims and periodic confrontations.

The development underscores the broader geopolitical contest over one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors. While Iran has previously asserted influence over transit management in the area, the latest map reinforces its public messaging on operational control at a time of heightened regional friction and global concern over energy supply stability.

Also Read: The Battle for Hormuz: Missile Strikes and Naval Skirmishes Ignite Gulf Conflict