Iran has introduced new transit rules and a regulatory mechanism to control vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz [1], [2].
These changes represent a significant shift in the management of one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. By formalizing control over the waterway, Iran seeks to secure wartime gains and generate revenue through the implementation of transit fees [3], [4].
To manage these operations, the Iranian government has launched the Persian Gulf Strait Authority [2]. This body is tasked with regulating traffic and ensuring what Tehran describes as safe and sustainable transit [3]. As part of this new framework, Iran is now charging fees on some ships to grant them safe passage through the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman [1], [3].
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy is overseeing the enforcement of these procedures. The military branch has designated a specific route for commercial and naval traffic to follow [3]. An IRGC Navy spokesperson said, "Only a single approved corridor is considered safe" [3].
Officials said the new mechanism is designed to provide a structured environment for shipping [2]. However, the move also serves to solidify Iranian authority over the strategic corridor during a period of heightened regional tension [3]. The IRGC Navy said it will ensure transit remains sustainable under these new, though largely unspecified, procedures [3].
“"Only a single approved corridor is considered safe"”
The creation of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority allows Iran to transition from tactical disruptions to a formalized administrative control of the Strait of Hormuz. By mandating a single safe corridor and imposing fees, Tehran is asserting sovereign-like regulatory power over international waters, which could increase shipping costs and create new diplomatic friction with global naval powers.
