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// DOSSIER — irgc-threatens-closure-shipping-routes-strait-hormuz
IRGC Threatens Closure of 'Illegal' Shipping Routes in Strait of Hormuz
REL_TIME: 10 Oct 2026 11:17Z · LANG: EN
Senior advisers to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced plans to block "illegal routes" through the Strait of Hormuz, specifically targeting passages along the Omani coast allegedly used for oil smuggling. This threat comes amid a protracted conflict following the February 2026 deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes. While Iranian officials claim full control over the waterway, US Vice President JD Vance asserts that Tehran is largely unable to halt global energy exports, despite a significant drop in daily maritime traffic from 125 to approximately 10 vessels.
// Background
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime chokepoint through which one-fifth of the world's petroleum liquids pass. Tensions escalated significantly on February 28, 2026, when US and Israeli strikes killed Iran's Supreme Leader, triggering a state of war and a collapse in regional shipping volumes.
// Key Developments
- IRGC adviser Mohammadreza Naqdi claims "illegal routes" were created by blasting rocky passages to facilitate oil smuggling.
- Maritime traffic through the Strait has plummeted from a pre-war average of 125 ships per day to roughly 10.
- US Vice President JD Vance maintains that Iranian forces lack the capability to fully block energy exports despite periodic harassment.
- The standoff follows the February 2026 assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, leading to a leadership vacuum questioned by US President Donald Trump.
// Timeline
-
US and Israeli strikes kill Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, initiating the current conflict.
-
Regional crude exports reach a seven-day average of 18.3 million barrels per day, exceeding pre-war levels on some days.
-
President Trump expresses uncertainty regarding Iran's current leadership structure.
-
IRGC adviser Mohammadreza Naqdi announces the imminent blocking of "illegal" routes in the Strait.
// Perspectives
[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)]
Asserts total control over the Strait and justifies blocking routes as a crackdown on "illegal" smuggling and a means to enforce political demands.
[United States Government]
Dismisses Iran's claim of total control, emphasizing the continued flow of energy exports and demanding nuclear concessions for any peace deal.
// Quotes
“The Strait of Hormuz was closed and under the full control of Iran’s armed forces, and would remain so until Iran’s demands were met.”
“Iranian forces could still attack commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz from time to time. But they were largely unable to stop energy exports from passing through the waterway.”
