Satellite images taken in mid-May showed an unusual concentration of about 240 vessels in the waters of the Persian Gulf at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. The ships gathered near a line that Iran recently declared its new zone of control. Analysts note that such ship density in this strategically important maritime corridor has not been seen before, raising concerns for the safety of global shipping.
Iran officially announced the creation of a new maritime zone controlled by the so-called "Organization of the Persian Gulf." Its boundaries run from Iran’s Mount Mubarak to the Emirati Fujairah at the eastern entrance to the strait and from the island of Qeshm to Umm al-Quwain on the west. The area of the zone is about 26,900 square kilometers. Tehran calls these measures "navigation regulation," but international experts see them as an attempt to strengthen control over a key sea route.
Analysis of images from May 17 and 20 shows 240 vessels concentrated over an area of roughly 1,400 square kilometers. Near this concentration, 36 kilometers southwest of the UAE coast, a US Arleigh Burke-class destroyer was observed. Such a concentration of military and civilian ships creates a tense environment and increases the risk of incidents in a region already considered one of the most unstable in the world.
The images also recorded only one vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz — an oil tanker heading from the Omani port of Shinas into the waters of the gulf. The limited movement through the strait indicates serious disruptions to shipping. Experts speak of a "navigation paralysis" after Iran published a new map of maritime control requiring prior coordination and permission to pass through the strait.
While Iran’s Foreign Ministry officially states that "the Strait of Hormuz is not closed" and that traffic continues, in practice ship passages are now subject to additional restrictions. Tehran asserts that "vessels not related to hostile parties" can safely transit the strait if coordinated with Iranian authorities. The creation of the "Organization of the Persian Gulf" has effectively handed control over the strait to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which heightens risks for international shipping amid current tensions in the Middle East.
Commentary on the news
What is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and why does handing it control of the Strait of Hormuz increase risks for international shipping? — The IRGC is an elite military-political formation of Iran, directly subordinate to the Supreme Leader and possessing its own ground, naval and air forces separate from the regular army. Giving it control over the Strait of Hormuz raises risks because the IRGC is known for more aggressive tactics (for example, seizing tankers, threats to block the strait in response to sanctions), which increases the likelihood of incidents involving civilian vessels and warships from other countries.
What significance do Mount Mubarak, Qeshm Island and Umm al-Quwain have in the context of Iranian territorial claims in the Persian Gulf? — Mount Mubarak and Qeshm Island (the largest island in the Persian Gulf, controlled by Iran) are strategic points for controlling shipping and resources. Umm al-Quwain (one of the UAE emirates) is mentioned in the context of historical disputes: Iran contests the ownership of several islands (for example, Abu Musa, Greater and Lesser Tunbs), which are under UAE control but which Iran considers its territory, creating tension.
How do Iranian authorities justify the creation of the "Organization of the Persian Gulf" and what legal or historical arguments do they use to establish control over this zone? — Iran argues that the "Organization of the Persian Gulf" is necessary to coordinate security and protect Iran’s "historical rights" in the region, citing long-standing cultural and economic ties to the Persian Gulf. Legal arguments include references to international maritime law (for example, rights to an exclusive economic zone), and historical arguments point to periods when the region was under Persian influence. However, these claims are disputed by Arab states, which insist on respecting existing borders and UN decisions.
Full version: قرب خط إيران.. صور فضائية لاحتشاد 240 سفينة قبالة هرمز