Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy

Force in Play

Key actor in interdictions and escalatory maritime signaling

Iranian authorities boarded a foreign-flag tanker near Jask in the Gulf of Oman and detained 18 crew members, including the captain. Iran says the ship carried roughly 6 million litres of “smuggled” diesel and tried to flee after ignoring stop orders.

Updated Yesterday

Force in Play

Continuing attacks under nominal ceasefire; fired on Indian tankers April 18; launched 15 missiles and drones at UAE May 4; attacked three US Navy destroyers in Hormuz May 7

A Pakistan-brokered Iran-US ceasefire on April 7-8 collapsed in days. Iran demanded tolls above $1 million per ship and peace talks in Islamabad failed on April 11-12. The US imposed a naval blockade of all Iranian ports on April 13; Iran formally closed the Strait again on April 18 — and IRGC gunboats fired on two Indian-flagged tankers that held valid transit clearance.

Updated 6 days ago

Force in Play

Formally re-closed Hormuz April 18-19, citing US blockade of Iranian ports; fired on India-flagged tankers Sanmar Herald and Jag Arnav on April 19; internal divide with Foreign Ministry now widely documented internationally

President Trump on April 19 threatened to destroy Iran's bridges and power plants — warning the 'whole country is going to get blown up' if Tehran fails to sign a deal — while simultaneously confirming a US delegation was heading to Islamabad for a second round of negotiations before the April 21 ceasefire expiry. Trump also disclosed he had asked Chinese President Xi Jinping not to supply weapons to Iran. The escalating rhetoric came as Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) formally closed the Strait of Hormuz again on April 18–19, citing the continued US naval blockade of Iranian ports, less than 48 hours after Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had declared the waterway 'completely open.' The IRGC fired on at least two India-flagged vessels — the Sanmar Herald and Jag Arnav — whose crews cited the Foreign Ministry's clearance only to be ordered away under fire. India summoned Iran's ambassador in protest. The US blockade has now turned back 23 ships and is estimated to be costing Iran roughly $435 million per day.

Updated Apr 19

Force in Play

Asymmetric capabilities largely intact

The last time the United States sank Iranian warships was April 18, 1988. Thirty-eight years later, American forces destroyed nine Iranian naval vessels in a single day and demolished the country's naval headquarters at Chabahar, on the Gulf of Oman. The strikes came after Iran attempted to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, the 21-mile-wide passage through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply flows, broadcasting radio warnings that no commercial ship would be allowed to pass.

Updated Mar 1