Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Amid Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the Islamic Republic has allowed two more Indian ships to pass through the strategic waterway, albeit via a ‘secret’ passage which has gained strategic importance for Iran since ongoing conflict erupted late last month.
According to Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) trackers, two Indian-flagged LPG tankers, Jag Basant and Pine Gas, are moving towards India from the Persian Gulf. Iran has diverted both ships through the Larak-Qeshm channel in Iranian territorial waters, before transiting the Strait of Hormuz, OSINT data has revealed.
Why Iran is diverting ships through Larak-Qeshm?
The Larak-Qeshm is a strategic maritime channel located between Larak Island and Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, and serves as a vital, alternative shipping route through the Persian.
Larak Island is considered a vital oil export hub for Iran, and is under the control of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who also have a military base on the 49-square-kilometer island, home to a small Kumzari-speaking population.
While the route was sparsely used before the war, Iranian officials are now routing select ships through the Larak-Qeshm gap as the area is under heavy monitoring by the Revolutionary Guards, allowing Iran to manage maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Why Larak-Qeshm is important for Iran?
The Larak-Qeshm Channel, located within Iran’s territorial waters, is a highly-fortified position for Iran, and is being used as an alternative route Iranian officials to divert ships through the Strait of Hormuz, since Tehran virtually blockaded the critical waterway after the war erupted on February 28.
According to reports, Iranian officers clear ships for passage through the Larak-Qeshm Channel after thorough inspections, which is easier to do here as the extremely narrow channel is lined with islands on both sides.
The unique geography also allows the Iranian military to easily intercept or escort ships through the narrow channel, essentially turning it into a military checkpoint on the Strait of Hormuz.
Notably, vessels passing through Strait of Hormuz do not use normally this use the Larak-Qeshm, but the narrow sea channel has gained importance and emerged as an alternate route since the Iran war erupted in late February.
