The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that it will offer “free passage” through the Strait of Hormuz to any Arab or European nation that expels its US and Israeli ambassadors. Escalation in the world’s primary oil chokepointThe Strait of Hormuz, a 21-mile-wide passage, handles approximately one-fifth of the world’s global oil supply. The IRGC’s latest move transforms the waterway into a high-stakes political bargaining chip amid the ongoing conflict. IRGC spokesperson Ali Mohammad Naeini issued a direct challenge early Tuesday, stating that Iranian armed forces are “waiting for the US Navy” in the Strait. Naeini specifically referenced the USS Gerald R. Ford, claiming that Iranian forces are positioned to intercept the carrier strike group.

Source: Egypt Independent March 10, 2026 12:25 UTC