Iran now defines Strait of Hormuz as far larger zone, IRGC officer says [View all]

Source: Yahoo! News/Reuters

Tue, May 12, 2026 at 6:10 AM EDT


DUBAI, May 12 (Reuters) - Iran has expanded its definition of the Strait of Hormuz into a "vast operational area" far wider than before the ‌Iran war, according to a senior officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard ‌Corps (IRGC) Navy.

The strait is no longer viewed as a narrow stretch around a handful of islands but ​instead has been greatly enlarged in scope and military significance, said Mohammad Akbarzadeh, deputy political director of the IRGC Navy, the state-affiliated Fars news agency reported on Tuesday.

"In the past, the Strait of Hormuz was defined as a limited area around islands ‌such as Hormuz and Hengam, ⁠but today this view has changed,” Akbarzadeh said. Iranian authorities did not reply to a Reuters request for immediate comment.

About a fifth ⁠of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supply normally passes through the strait, which is the gateway to the Gulf and main export route for countries such ​as Saudi ​Arabia, Iraq and Qatar. Akbarzadeh said the strait ​is now defined as a strategic ‌zone stretching from the city of Jask in the east to Siri Island in the west, describing it as “a vast operational area”.

Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/iran-now-defines-strait-hormuz-101009728.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall