[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Situation in Hormuz upon Arrival of Cheonghae Unit

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu] The Cheonghae Unit's Choi Young-class destroyer (4,400 tons) has arrived near the Strait of Hormuz, drawing attention to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz where the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is stationed.

In 2019, U.S. President Donald Trump designated the Iranian elite force, the IRGC, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This measure was taken based on Section 219 of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, marking the first time a state-run military was designated as such.

The IRGC was established under the constitution of the revolutionary government that ousted the pro-American monarchy during the 1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution. As a subordinate organization of Iran's regular military, it serves as the military core of security, theocratic governance, and economic power. It commanded the Iraqi Shiite militia (Hashd al-Shaabi) in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) and supports the Lebanese Shiite armed group Hezbollah and the Palestinian Gaza armed group Hamas.

After the U.S. designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization, Iran significantly strengthened its military presence near the strait. Naval bases such as Karak, Bushehr, and Bandar Abbas were fully deployed along the coast of the Strait of Hormuz. The missiles stationed at these bases include the Qader and Persian Gulf (Kalij-e Fars) anti-ship cruise missiles. Both have a range of 300 km and are known for their high accuracy. Notably, they can be launched from inland mobile launchers (TEL), making it difficult to detect any prior signs.

The issue lies in Iran's blockade measures of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has repeatedly warned that it would block the Strait of Hormuz, the sea route through which Middle Eastern oil-exporting countries ship their crude oil. When the U.S. reinstated sanctions blocking Iran's oil exports in November 2018, Iran also mentioned the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC Navy has designated the Strait of Hormuz as its "Primary Operational Area," emphasizing Iran's military control over this area.

If Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz becomes a reality, the U.S. could mobilize its allies to form a "Hormuz Security Coalition." The United Kingdom, citing the protection of its own merchant vessels, has deployed three destroyers to the Gulf region. Although the U.S. claims it does not intend to engage militarily with Iran, the presence of U.S. and Iranian warships in the Strait of Hormuz, which is less than 40 km wide, significantly increases the possibility of military conflict due to hostile encounters.

In particular, if Iran shows signs of blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a preemptive strike could be launched. This would impose military pressure on Iran with less burden than a full-scale war.

Regarding this, military experts said, "If the U.S. needs to detect prior movements by monitoring radar detection at coastal bases and missile base activities, a preemptive strike is entirely possible."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.