🔥 Iran Releases New Map of the Strait of Hormuz: Claim of Historic Expansion of Maritime Jurisdiction

✨ On Monday, May 4, 2026, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released a new map redefining its control zone in the Strait of Hormuz. The difference between the old and new maps reveals that Tehran has historicly expanded its maritime jurisdiction. This move is creating a seismic effect in global energy markets and is considered, from the perspective of maritime law, an attempt to seize territory from the sea in times of war.

🔹 Old Map: Compliance with International Norms
✨ In previous maps, Iran claimed a territorial waters zone extending 12 nautical miles from its own coast. This was an internationally accepted standard practice, consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). ✨ All areas south of this line were considered international waters, and approximately one-fifth of world maritime trade passed through this route without problems.

🔹 New Map: Control Line Extends to UAE Coast
✨ In the new map released by the DMO (Defense Ministry Organization), Iran's claimed "control zone" extends to the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the opposite side of the strait. A line is drawn in the west between the furthest point of Iran's Qeshm Island and the UAE's Umm Al-Quwain emirate, while a second border is defined in the east between Mount Kuhe Mobarak in Iran and the south of Fujairah Port in the UAE. All the sea area between these two lines is designated by Iran as its control zone.

🔹 Sharp Rise in Oil and Energy Markets
✨ Immediately following this development, the price of Brent crude oil rose by over 5%, surpassing $114 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil also rose by 5.8%, settling in the $114 range. This new claim to the status quo in the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world's crude oil transportation passes, is considered the most serious threat to supply security. Standard & Poor's raised its Brent oil forecast for 2026 to $100 per barrel, and its West Texas Intermediate forecast to $95 per barrel.

🔹 Geopolitical Tension-Related Volatility in Bitcoin
✨ Cryptocurrency markets were also directly affected by this development. After testing its highest level since January 31st at $80,594 during the day, Bitcoin lost nearly 2% in less than an hour, falling to $78,200, following Iran's new map move and accompanying conflict news. According to some analyses, while Bitcoin is in demand as a safe haven during times of geopolitical risk, it can face short-term selling pressure when uncertainty peaks.

🔹 Strategic Analysis: Attempt to Seize Land from the Sea
✨ According to experts, this move is described as an attempt to "seize land from the sea" carried out under wartime conditions. The new map covers not only the Strait of Hormuz, but also a portion of the Gulf of Oman and the coastal waters of the UAE. The UAE's strategic Fujairah Port is also included in this control zone. This port was previously seen as a potential alternative route to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, however, claims that this map does not change the current situation.

💫 Wise Saying: "The most dangerous weapon of war is not the missile, but the map. Once borders are redrawn, the cost of reversing them can be heavier than peace itself."

⚠️ Not Investment Advice.
⚠️ Risk Management: Limiting position size and keeping stop-loss levels up-to-date is critical during periods of geopolitical uncertainty.

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