The Strait of Hormuz, known as a critical artery for global energy supply, has recently seen increased tensions following attacks on tankers operated by Japanese shipping companies and the downing of a U.S. Navy drone. Amid rising oil prices influenced by U.S. and Israeli threats against Iran, attention is drawn to the Revolutionary Guards, a designated terrorist organization, which is tasked with providing security in this key region.

The article revisits a 2019 piece where an Asahi Shimbun journalist accompanied the Revolutionary Guards during patrols in the Strait of Hormuz. This archive contribution emphasizes the contrast between the previous serene conditions of the waters and the current state of tensions, reflecting on how the landscape has shifted in terms of security and geopolitical awareness. Insights are provided into the personnel involved, typically obscured from public scrutiny, shedding light on their perspectives and the implications of their role in a politically charged environment.

Permission for the archival release is framed within the context of ongoing disputes in the region and the international community's response to developments surrounding oil supply routes. With nearly one-third of the world's oil passing through this strait, the story's implications underscore the balancing act that regional players, including Iran and Japan, face against a backdrop of heightened volatility and military engagement.