IRGC Seeks to Institutionalize Control Over the Strait of Hormuz

On May 5, The Wall Street Journal reported on Iran’s introduction of a “new mechanism” to regulate shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The Maritime Executive later reported that, after Iran announced plans in March to charge for safe passage, fraudulent operators emerged offering fake transit documents in exchange for cryptocurrency. According to Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, vessels seeking passage would instead receive authorization through the official email address [email protected]. By May 7, Iranian media reported the establishment of a “Persian Gulf Strait Authority” to facilitate shipping through the strait in exchange for Bitcoin payments.

Little is publicly known about the Persian Gulf Strait Authority’s structure or personnel, but it appears to function as an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps front rather than an independent authority – a conclusion reinforced by the IRGC navy’s latest statement and attempt to institutionalize IRGC control over transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

• May 7: Center-right Farhikhtegan Daily, citing a CNN report, discussed the establishment of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority.
• May 16: Supreme National Security Council mouthpiece Nour News Agency reported that the Iranian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance had established a “Hormuz Safe” website to facilitate secure shipping through the strait, in exchange for payment in Bitcoin.
• May 18: The Persian Gulf Strait Authority opened an X account and, on May 20, posted a map delineating the “regulatory jurisdiction for the management” of the Strait of Hormuz. The authority further outlined that jurisdiction as “the line connecting Kuh-e Mubarak in Iran to the south of Fujairah in the UAE and the eastern entrance of the strait, to the line connecting the tip of Qeshm Island in Iran to Umm al-Quwain in the UAE at the western entrance.” The authority demanded: “Transit through this area for the purpose of passing through the Hormuz strait requires coordination with, and authorization from, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority.”
• June 25: In a public statement quoted by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated Mashregh News, the IRGC navy declared:
  • “A few hours ago, without prior notification to or coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran, certain authorities announced a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. This route is unacceptable and extremely dangerous. All concerned are hereby informed that the only authorized routes for transit through the Strait of Hormuz are those announced by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Navigation outside these designated routes is strictly prohibited and highly dangerous. We warn all vessels to refrain from any transit outside the officially designated shipping lanes. Coordination with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy for passage through the Strait of Hormuz via VHF Channel 16 is mandatory. Vessels that fail to comply will be subject to enforcement measures.”

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