15-20 vessels use new Iran‑approved Hormuz corridor

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed that between 15 and 20 vessels have traversed the Strait of Hormuz in the past two days using a newly approved shipping corridor. The corridor, established by Iran, requires ships to pay tolls and obtain IRGC permission before passage. Most of the traffic consists of Chinese, Pakistani, Russian and Iranian-flagged ships, reflecting Tehran’s effort to control and monetize the strategic waterway. The move comes amid heightened tensions over the U.S. naval blockade in the region.