Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps asserts complete control over Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to deploy the US Navy to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that handles about 20% of the world’s oil shipments. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has stated that it maintains full control over the strait, which remains closed due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and its adversaries.

According to IRGC Navy official Mohammad Akbarzadeh, the Strait of Hormuz is currently under the complete control of the Islamic Republic’s Navy. However, a recent report by Reuters found an oil tanker, Pola, sailing through the strait en route to a United Arab Emirates port to load crude, despite switching off its AIS tracker.

The US-Israeli war on Iran has disrupted global supply chains, with shipping closed in the Strait of Hormuz and air cargo grounded due to airspace closures in the Middle East. Clarksons Research estimates that around 3,200 ships are idle in the Gulf, while about 500 ships are waiting outside the Gulf in ports off the coast of the UAE and Oman.

As a result, Brent crude prices have risen to over $82 a barrel, up more than 13% since the start of the conflict. Islamabad has requested Saudi Arabia to route oil supplies through the Red Sea port of Yanbu after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted shipping. The Pakistani government is monitoring the situation closely to ensure continuity of supplies.

The US Navy’s deployment plans for escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz have been announced by President Trump, who stated that the United States will ensure the free flow of energy to the world.

Source: Al Jazeera