Hormuz Deadlock: Iran's IRGC Says Strait 'Significantly Expanded' To Form Strategic Zone

The Strait of Hormuz has been "expanded significantly" to form a strategic zone, now extending from the coasts of Jask to Sirri Island, news agency Tasnim reported citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy on Tuesday. 

Mohammad Akbarzadeh, political deputy of the IRGC, added that prior to the war, the key maritime channel of Hormuz was considered a limited area around islands like Hormuz when defined,"but today this perspective has changed." 

The narrow waterway “has become larger and turned into a vast operational area”, he highlighted.

Hormuz has expanded from a range of 32-48km (20-30 miles) to 320-480km (200-300 miles) from Jask and Sirri to beyond Qeshm Island and Greater Tunb, “forming a complete arc”, the political deputy underlined.

Akbarzadeh emphasised that Iran's armed forces are closely monitoring all regional movements. “The Islamic Republic of Iran is carefully and authoritatively monitoring all regional movements and will not allow any kind of encroachment upon its waters and interests,” he was quoted as saying by Iran's Press TV.

While speaking with the country's news agencies, he assured Iranians that the armed forces remain committed to protecting the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“As it has been said before, ‘We will give blood, but we will not give up an inch of soil.' The armed forces will defend the country's territorial integrity and waters with all their might,” he remarked.

The IRGC has also announced that the only safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be a corridor designated by the Islamic Republic, and warned of a “decisive response” against any vessels deviating from those routes.

The expansion come amid elevated regional tensions im West Asia after the US and Israel launched joint air strikes against Iran in late 

Iran has effectively blocked Hormuz to what it calls "hostile shipping" since early March and began imposing stricter controls last month after the US announced a blockade targeting Iranian vessels and ports. The country has condemned the blockade as illegal and equivalent to maritime piracy.

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