IRGC Navy Announces Vast Expansion of Its Definition of the Strait of Hormuz — Extends from Jask and Siri Coasts Beyond Major Islands — Day 75

The IRGC Navy announced on May 13, 2026 (Day 75) that it now considers 'the Strait of Hormuz' to extend from the coasts of Jask and Siri all the way to and beyond the major islands — a significant geographic expansion from the historically recognized narrow transit zone between Oman and Iran. The expanded definition greatly increases the maritime area Iran claims to control, potentially doubling or tripling the zone under IRGC enforcement authority and complicating any future allied shipping escort mission. The War Zone characterized the move as a significant escalation in Iran's maritime posture. The announcement comes two weeks after Iran's May 4 formal maritime control zone declaration (which already imposed $1M+ tolls and required authorization for vessel passage) — the new geographic expansion effectively supersedes that zone by extending IRGC authority further into the Arabian Sea. The US Navy has consistently rejected Iranian attempts to redesign transit passage rights under UNCLOS, but Iran's de facto enforcement capability — regardless of legal status — gives the new zone practical coercive power. The expansion was announced the same day Trump traveled to Beijing, leaving US naval command decisions about Hormuz enforcement to Defense Secretary Hegseth and CENTCOM.