Tehran: Iran has introduced a new system to regulate shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, requiring vessels to obtain transit permits and follow updated rules communicated via email before entering the critical waterway.
According to state-run Press TV, ships must receive electronic instructions from an address linked to the Persian Gulf Strait Authority outlining mandatory requirements for passage. The system, described as a “sovereign governance” mechanism, is now operational in the strait, which handles about 20% of global oil shipments and remains largely restricted following a conflict triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Iran’s parliament is also reviewing legislation to formalise restrictions on vessels linked to the United States and Israel, while proposing tolls for ships considered non-hostile.
Tensions have escalated further after the United States imposed its own restrictions on Iranian ports following unsuccessful ceasefire talks in Islamabad in April. US President Donald Trump had announced a naval escort operation for ships, termed “Project Freedom,” but later paused the plan.
Iran’s military has warned that any foreign armed forces entering the strait could face attack. Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the US and its allies of undermining maritime security through ceasefire violations and blockades, signalling a shift in control over the strategic route.
