Islands tightening Iran’s grip on Hormuz

Iran’s island fortifications around the Strait of Hormuz strengthen its grip on the key waterway and reopening shipping could mean U.S. or allied forces would have to capture those positions

Area disputed between Iran and UAE, occupied by Iran

Qeshm: Largest island in Persian Gulf, described as “underground missile fortress”, hosts Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval units, fast attack craft, and surveillance and command systems

Larak Island: Plays key role in monitoring and regulating ships rerouted through controlled corridor north of island, helping IRGC screen, verify and manage maritime traffic through Strait of Hormuz

Abu Musa
Greater Tunb
Lesser Tunb
Controlled by Iran since 1971 after British withdrawal but claimed by UAE, give Tehran extra reach into southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz. Abu Musa has small civilian population, while Tunbs are military outposts

IRAN
IRAN
Strait of
Hormuz
Gulf of
Oman
Persian
Gulf
Persian Gulf
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5

6 miles
10km
2km
1km
1km
500m
Qeshm
Desalination plant: Bombed in U.S. air strike on Mar 7, Tehran claims
Population: 180,000 (2017, UNESCO)
Basaidu
Kharg Island
Loads 90% of
Iran’s crude oil
SAUDI ARABIA
OMAN
OMAN
UAE
UAE
125 miles
200km
30 miles
50km
IRGC naval base
Airport

© GRAPHIC NEWS
Sources: MSN, Reuters, BBC
Pictures: Apple Maps