The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said around 12 p.m. on the 22nd that 35 ships, including oil tankers, container ships and other merchant vessels, passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours.
The Revolutionary Guard Navy also said the day before that 31 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz during the same time frame in the past 24 hours. On the 20th, it said the number of transiting ships was 26.
The Revolutionary Guard claimed the vessels received passage clearance from Iran and sailed with safety guaranteed along coordinated routes.
The Revolutionary Guard said, "The Strait of Hormuz has become unstable due to the aggression of U.S. forces committing acts of terror, but the Revolutionary Guard Navy has established safe routes to ensure the continuity of international trade."
Iran is stressing that ships must obtain permission from the Iranian military and relevant authorities to transit the Strait of Hormuz. This is seen as an attempt to signal externally that Iran has authority to manage passage through the strait.
Iranian state-run Press TV also aired an explainer video titled "Guidelines for passing through the Strait of Hormuz" that day.
According to the video, ships seeking to pass through the Strait of Hormuz must obtain passage clearance by emailing detailed vessel information to the newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA). It also said tolls must be paid if necessary.
The video also warned that vessels operating without authorization or deviating from routes set by Iran would face a "resolute response."