IranSetsNewHormuzShippingRoutesasCeasefireWavers

Iran has released a map of alternative shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz as it seeks to claim control over the critical oil chokepoint as maritime traffic remained largely frozen.

The Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said vessels transiting the strait should use designated routes to avoid naval mines, according to a statement carried Thursday by state-run Nour News.

The directive formalizes Iran’s de facto control over the waterway, which it has effectively blocked since late February, disrupting global energy markets and raising concerns over maritime security.

The announcement came a day after a brief U.S.-Iran ceasefire showed cracks, prompting Tehran to again close the strait.

According to the map, vessels are advised to enter from the Gulf of Oman, proceed north toward Larak Island into the Persian Gulf, and exit by passing south of the island back toward the Gulf of Oman.

The official routes differ slightly from an unofficial “safe corridor” Iran opened on March 13 to facilitate vessel inspections. The new exit route bends further south, though it remains entirely within Iranian territorial waters. Previously, exiting ships were required to detour north between Larak and Qeshm islands.

An international maritime analyst told Caixin the adjustment may be intended to reduce collision risks in the narrow waters north of Larak Island. “By formally publishing the route, Iran is signaling that its operational control over the strait is becoming more structured,” the analyst said.

However, the mine-risk zone shown on the map extends into Omani waters, suggesting Tehran may not recognize a separate transit corridor proposed by Oman, the analyst added.

On April 3, a fleet of oil and gas tankers used a previously unused route through the strait and reached waters off Muscat, Oman — a development that raised hopes for an alternative passage less exposed to Iranian interference.

A shipowner stranded near Oman previously told Caixin that Omani maritime authorities were planning a “second channel” through the strait. Oman’s foreign ministry said Sunday that the two countries had held deputy minister-level talks on ensuring safe passage.

Fragile ceasefire

Since U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28, Tehran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz.

On Wednesday morning, Beijing time, Washington and Tehran announced a two-week ceasefire, with Iran declaring the strait open. But later that day Israel launched large-scale strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon, prompting Tehran to reinstate the blockade.

During the brief lull, most stranded commercial vessels did not attempt to transit.

As of 7 p.m. Thursday, Beijing time, only one small non-Iranian vessel not bound for Iranian ports crossed the strait. Multiple shipping companies said they were adopting a wait-and-see approach.

“Transiting still requires Iranian approval, and most shipping companies cannot directly contact the Iranian side, creating a lack of trust,” one shipping source said. “Iran also hasn’t disclosed implementation details for temporary transit, so shipowners won’t risk crossing.”

Another shipping company said it was waiting for a viable corridor from Oman. “Compared to Iran’s flip-flopping, shipowners trust Oman more,” a company representative said, adding that any transit fees imposed by Oman would likely be transparent.

According to Lloyd’s List, some shipowners are wary of paying transit fees to Iran due to legal risks, as several countries designate Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism.

A source at a Chinese oil tanker company said that even if transit resumes, priority will be given to extracting stranded vessels rather than sending new ones into the Gulf.

“China can currently receive Gulf crude via Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port on the Red Sea, as well as the U.A.E.’s Fujairah and Oman’s Muscat ports,” the source said. “There is little incentive to risk entering the Persian Gulf under current conditions.”

As of Thursday morning, 2,453 vessels remained stranded in the Persian Gulf, underscoring the scale of disruption to global shipping.

Contact reporter Wang Xintong (xintongwang@caixin.com)