Tehran: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Sunday that 28 commercial vessels successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz during the previous 24 hours, highlighting what it described as enhanced monitoring and security measures in the strategically vital waterway.
According to a statement released by the IRGC Navy’s Public Relations Office and carried by Iranian state media, the vessels included oil tankers, container ships, and other merchant vessels operating in the region. Iranian authorities stated that maritime movements were coordinated through procedures overseen by the IRGC Navy to ensure safe navigation through the narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf to global shipping lanes.
The IRGC emphasized that it continues to maintain constant surveillance of the strait through advanced monitoring systems. Officials said the force remains committed to safeguarding maritime operations and facilitating uninterrupted commercial traffic despite heightened geopolitical tensions in the region.
Iranian authorities described the Persian Gulf as a critical regional waterway and reiterated their position that external military activities have contributed to instability in surrounding waters. The statement underscored Tehran’s intention to maintain what it called effective control and oversight of shipping movements within the area.
The latest figures represent an increase from the previous day, when Iranian officials reported that 20 commercial vessels had crossed the Strait of Hormuz under similar coordination arrangements. The IRGC noted that daily vessel movements are being managed through newly established mechanisms aimed at improving maritime traffic regulation.
Iran recently introduced a dedicated administrative framework for monitoring and managing shipping operations linked to the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier this month, the country’s Supreme National Security Council announced the activation of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), a body tasked with overseeing developments and operational activities connected to the crucial maritime corridor.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most significant energy transit routes, serving as a gateway for a substantial portion of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Any developments affecting navigation through the waterway are closely watched by international energy markets and shipping operators.
The establishment of the PGSA has attracted international attention. The United States recently imposed sanctions on the authority, alleging that the organization was being used to generate revenue linked to the IRGC through commercial shipping activities. The sanctions were announced by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) as part of Washington’s broader pressure campaign against Tehran.
Despite the sanctions and continuing diplomatic tensions, Iranian officials maintain that their maritime management measures are designed to ensure orderly vessel movement and maritime safety in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
The latest announcement from the IRGC comes as regional security dynamics continue to evolve, with global stakeholders monitoring shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz due to its central role in international trade and energy supply chains.