Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced that 25 commercial vessels navigated the Strait of Hormuz over a 24-hour window. According to a state media report published late Tuesday, the fleet of oil tankers, container ships, and cargo carriers crossed the waterway after securing permits and authorization from Iranian naval forces.
The IRGC said its units are enforcing "intelligent control" over the maritime chokepoint, warning that any foreign aggression or unsanctioned movement would be met with a response. Iran's regulation of ship flow is part of its effort to project leverage over the corridor, which handles nearly 20 percent of global seaborne petroleum trade.
The developments follow conflicting reports about international maneuvers in the region. According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Navy has quietly restarted guiding commercial ships through the waterway under an initiative dubbed "Project Freedom," including the safe passage of a Greek supertanker carrying two million barrels of crude oil. However, U.S. official sources speaking to regional outlets have pushed back against claims that the U.S. Navy has formally resumed broad vessel assistance.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed its forces have redirected 108 commercial vessels in the area to enforce the American naval blockade against Iranian ports.
