Iran has expanded its definition for the area it considers to be a part of the Strait of Hormuz, having widened it to an operational zone that stretches from the city of Jask along its southeast coast, to Siri Island at the west end of the strait.
According to Reuters, the new definition expands the zone from 20-30 miles to roughly 200-300 miles, with the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy stating that it no longer views the strait as a limited area. The move effectively expands the potential conflict area in the strait, creating even more ambiguity for commercial shipping lines already grappling with the threat of military escalation across one of the world’s busiest energy corridors.
The strait continues to be blockaded by both Iran and the U.S., with talks between the two countries having remained tense in recent days. On May 11, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeled the latest ceasefire proposal from the U.S. as "unreasonable," while President Donald Trump called Iran's terms "totally unacceptable." Iran has frequently insisted that any deal to reopen the strait should allow them to charge tolls, while the U.S. has pushed for a full return of free traffic through the waterway.
With Iran widening the zone it considers to constitute the Strait of Hormuz, shipping companies could face greater uncertainty over where military escorts, inspections or potential enforcement actions might occur, further complicating decisions around whether it is safe to resume transits through the region. Carriers also now need to consider whether entering certain stretches of water previously seen as safe could trigger aggression from Iranian forces.
