Iran Steps Up Claim to Control Strait of Hormuz

Iran steps up claim to control – Iran has intensified its efforts to claim military oversight of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway critical to global oil trade. The country’s newly established “Persian Gulf Strait Authority” has released a map asserting Iranian control over more than 22,000 square kilometers of surrounding waters. This territory stretches into the maritime zones of Oman and the United Arab Emirates, raising concerns among regional allies. Despite the expansion, the UAE dismissed these claims as “fragments of dreams,” emphasizing their skepticism about Iran’s ability to enforce such dominance.

New Authority’s Territorial Expansion

The Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a recent creation, has outlined a broad area of influence that includes critical shipping lanes. According to the map, Iranian armed forces are said to have oversight of this vast region, which could affect the movement of commercial vessels. This move is part of Iran’s broader strategy to reinforce its claim over the strait, a vital passage for approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply. The authority’s assertion adds a layer of complexity to the already tense dynamics in the region, as neighboring nations question the feasibility of such control.

Iran’s insistence on sovereignty over the strait has drawn criticism from the U.S. and Gulf allies, who have repeatedly challenged the nation’s attempts to assert authority. The U.S. military has explicitly instructed ships to disregard Iranian rules, underscoring its commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation. This stance has been echoed by the UAE, whose diplomatic adviser, Anwar Gargash, criticized Iran’s claims as an attempt to “consecrate a new reality born from a clear military defeat.” He described the moves as “nothing but fragments of dreams,” highlighting the perceived weakness of Iran’s position.

Strategic Maneuvers and Naval Encounters

The tension escalated this week with a notable incident involving a tanker. Footage from Iran-linked media showed a “punishment strike” on a vessel in the strait, which they claimed was a targeted action. BBC Verify’s analysis confirmed that the vessel in the footage matched the Liberian-flagged Barakah, which had reported being hit by unknown projectiles in early May. This incident is part of Iran’s broader campaign to assert control, but it has not gone unchallenged.

Meanwhile, U.S. forces took direct action against an Iran-bound oil tanker on Wednesday. The Central Command (Centcom) stated the vessel was suspected of violating the American blockade of Iranian ports. The footage released by Centcom depicted U.S. marines descending from a helicopter onto the ship’s deck, which was identified as the Celestial Sea. The operation, described as a “suspected attempt to violate the US blockade,” resulted in the tanker being released after a search and a course adjustment. The ship had previously been sanctioned by the U.S. under a different name for its ties to Iran, adding to the geopolitical friction.

Tracking data from MarineTraffic revealed that the Celestial Sea is now en route to the port of Duqm in Oman. This development has raised questions about the vessel’s current allegiance and the effectiveness of U.S. sanctions. Centcom further reported that since the blockade began on April 13, it has redirected 94 commercial ships and disabled four vessels, demonstrating the scale of the operation. Such actions underscore the U.S. commitment to securing maritime passage in the region, even as Iran pushes its own agenda.

International Reactions and Diplomatic Moves

The Iranian push for control coincides with growing diplomatic efforts to mediate tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Pakistan’s military chief is reported to be visiting Tehran on Thursday, aiming to facilitate peace talks. Iranian state media noted that Asim Munir, the Pakistani official, will continue discussions with senior Iranian officials. This engagement follows the U.S. proposal to end the war, which the Iranian foreign ministry is said to be reviewing.

President Donald Trump, who has been a central figure in the conflict, suggested he would wait a few days for Tehran to agree to the new deal. However, he also indicated readiness to resume attacks if no progress is made. In a social media post, Trump stated, “Believe me, if we don’t get the right answers, it goes very quickly. We’re all ready to go.” This remark highlights the precarious balance between diplomacy and military action in the ongoing standoff.

While the U.S. and its allies remain vigilant, the lack of ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea by Iran complicates its claims. Under the convention, ships are guaranteed safe passage through another country’s waters, but Iran’s refusal to sign it has allowed it to assert exclusive control over the strait. This has led to accusations that Iran is attempting to undermine international maritime law in favor of its own interests.

The situation reflects a broader geopolitical struggle over regional influence. Iran’s actions have been framed as an attempt to reclaim dominance in the Persian Gulf, while the U.S. and its Gulf partners seek to maintain stability and protect their economic interests. The Celestial Sea’s journey to Oman and the Punjabi strike on the Barakah tanker serve as recent examples of this tug-of-war. As negotiations continue, the outcome could reshape the dynamics of power in one of the world’s most strategic waterways.