Iranian Regime Deploys Special Forces to Monitor Ships Using Oman Route in Strait of Hormuz

DUBAI, July 3: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has deployed special forces along the country's Persian Gulf coastline to monitor commercial vessels using the Oman-side shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The sources said the IRGC has established an intelligence network using land-based observation posts, naval assets and aerial surveillance systems to identify ships planning to transit the southern corridor before they enter the strategic waterway.

According to the report, the IRGC is also seeking access to shipping schedules and coordination details through Omani sources to track vessel movements along the route, which Tehran has repeatedly warned international shipping not to use.

The deployment comes days after Washington and Tehran agreed to a one-week de-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz following weeks of military exchanges, with further negotiations expected in Doha under Omani mediation.

The move follows last week's reported IRGC attack on a Singapore-flagged cargo ship transiting near Oman's coast, after the vessel allegedly used a route not approved by Tehran. The incident was followed by US strikes on Iranian military facilities and renewed warnings from Iran that ships should use routes designated by the Islamic Republic.

Shipping through the Strait remains well below pre-conflict levels despite the de-escalation agreement. While international maritime authorities and Oman continue to support the southern corridor near Omani waters, Iran insists vessels should use Tehran-approved routes and has warned that safe passage cannot be guaranteed without coordination with Iranian authorities.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil transit chokepoints, remains at the center of tensions between Iran, the United States and regional powers as negotiations over maritime security continue.