Cargo ships began to cross the Strait of Hormuz via the route off Lark Island

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has declared several routes through the Strait of Hormuz safe for ships, one of them runs near Lark Island. On April 20, Izvestia published footage of the situation in this section of the strait.

"What we see is that the movement of vessels along this route continues. A water corridor has been defined between Qeshm Island and Lark Island, and it is through this corridor that those who want to cross the Strait of Hormuz must pass," said Naser Ashkeri, a correspondent for Izvestia.

Iran currently maintains full control over the strait and ensures security in the area. At the same time, vessels wishing to pass by waterway must comply with the requirements of the IRGC and coordinate their route. In case of violations, ships have to be stopped by force.

"On Lark Island, behind my back, you can see a foreign oil tanker, which, ignoring the warnings of the IRGC, tried to violate Iran's national sovereignty and pass through the Strait of Hormuz, but was hit and forced to stop," a security official told a journalist.

There are no signs of the previously announced US naval blockade of Hormuz. Iranian vessels calmly pass through the strait and head from there to international waters.

"Between the islands of Lark and Qeshm, the distance is about 20 nautical miles [37 km]. — Ed.], one of the key sea routes is passing, which has recently been widely discussed," the correspondent said.

Ships maneuvered: how the Americans plan to block Iranian ports

Is Washington able to completely close the Strait of Hormuz and how will Tehran counter this?

On April 13, the United States announced the beginning of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz due to the failure of negotiations between Washington and Tehran. It is carried out against ships of all countries entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports in the Arabian and Oman Gulfs.

The Wall Street Journal newspaper learned on April 18 that Iran's decision to open shipping through the Strait of Hormuz led to a split between radical and moderate forces in the country. The statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic, Abbas Araqchi, angered the representatives of the IRGC. The day after the announcement of free navigation, the Iranian military fired at at least two ships that were trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.