Iran's Revolutionary Guard to Control 2,000 Kilometers of Gulf Coastline

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy will assume operational control over nearly 2,000 kilometers of the country's southern coastline, following a directive from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that significantly expands the elite force's maritime jurisdiction across the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

The announcement, reported by Anadolu Agency, marks one of the most substantial restructurings of Iran's naval command in recent years. Under the new framework, the IRGC Navy will impose what officials described as "new rules" governing coastal activity, fishing rights, port operations and the movement of commercial vessels along Iran's southern shores. Khamenei reportedly characterized the waters as "a source of livelihood" for Iranians, signaling that the expanded mandate will encompass economic development alongside security functions.

The directive consolidates IRGC authority over a stretch of coastline that includes some of the world's most strategically sensitive maritime corridors. The Strait of Hormuz, the narrow chokepoint between Iran and Oman, channels roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments and a significant share of liquefied natural gas exports from Gulf producers. Any shift in command authority over the waterway is closely watched by energy markets and regional governments alike.

Iranian officials did not specify how the expanded jurisdiction will be coordinated with the regular Iranian Navy, which has traditionally operated in the broader waters of the Gulf of Oman, the Caspian Sea and beyond. The IRGC Navy has historically focused on asymmetric operations within the Gulf, deploying fast-attack craft, anti-ship missiles and coastal defense systems. Analysts say the consolidation may streamline command but could also raise the threshold for confrontations with foreign vessels.

For Qatar and other Gulf Cooperation Council states, the announcement carries direct implications. Qatar shares the world's largest natural gas field, the South Pars/North Dome reservoir, with Iran, and Doha has long pursued a policy of measured engagement with Tehran while maintaining close ties with Washington. QatarEnergy's LNG carriers transit the Strait of Hormuz daily, making freedom of navigation a core national interest.

Doha has consistently advocated dialogue over confrontation in the Gulf, hosting back-channel talks between Iran and Western powers and pressing for de-escalation during periods of heightened tension. Qatari officials have repeatedly emphasized that Gulf security must be built on regional consensus rather than external military pressure.

The IRGC's expanded role comes amid renewed Western scrutiny of Iranian maritime activity, including allegations of vessel seizures and interference with commercial shipping. Tehran has rejected those characterizations, framing its naval posture as defensive and rooted in sovereign rights over its territorial waters. Further details on the implementation timeline of Khamenei's directive are expected in the coming weeks.