Iran imposes new shipping restrictions in Strait of Hormuz, rerouting tankers near coast

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy has published a map designating an "Area of Danger" in the Strait of Hormuz and warned ships to coordinate with Iranian forces to avoid naval mines, forcing tanker traffic to take northerly routes closer to the Iranian coast near the IRGC-controlled Larak Island. The new restrictions create immediate uncertainty for global shipping through one of the world's most critical chokepoints, where roughly one-third of seaborne oil passes daily. This move escalates Iran's control over regional maritime traffic and risks disrupting energy markets and international commerce, with potential implications for global oil prices and supply chains. The directive represents Iran's expanding assertion of authority over Hormuz passage amid broader regional tensions.