The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), founded after the 1979 Revolution to protect the new Islamic system, reported varying numbers of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz over recent days. According to one IRGC-affiliated source, 28 vessels passed through the strait over the past day. Another IRGC Navy source reported that 25 ships transited the strait under its protection in the past 24 hours. A third IRGC-affiliated press service stated that 24 ships crossed the strait with the permission of Iranian authorities during the past day. AXSMarine observed 25 verified commercial vessel crossings on June 18, the highest single-day count since April 18 and more than five times the average daily level recorded during the first ten days of June.

Daily vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz decreased significantly in 2026, with an average of about 8 ships per day in March 2026, compared to a pre-crisis average of 153. Traffic had reduced by 95% during the crisis, with 20% of world oil supply at stake. Three Indian-flagged ships safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz in a single day, according to one report.

The IRGC is a powerful institution in Iran that operates independently of Iran’s regular military and answers directly to the Supreme Leader. It has ties to Islamist militant groups opposed to Israel and the United States, including through its Quds Force, which trains, arms, and directs groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The IRGC was involved in crackdowns on protesters in January 2026. The European Union and other major bodies have designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization.