Iran Tightens Grip on Strait of Hormuz With New Shipping Rules

Translation result.Iran Underscores Control of the Strait of HormuzIran, which is establishing a transit system for the Strait of Hormuz, says roughly 30 vessels per day have been transiting the waterway recently. On the 22nd (local time), Al Jazeera quoted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) navy as saying 35 vessels, including tankers and container ships, transited the strait in the previous 24 hours. The IRGC said those transits occurred with Iran’s permission and coordination.The IRGC also reported 31 vessels transited the strait in a 24-hour period the day before, and 26 vessels transited on the 20th. Iran has been formalizing its control over the strait, stressing that ships must obtain authorization from Iranian military and other relevant authorities to transit.State-run Press TV aired an explanatory video on the 22nd titled “Guidelines for Transiting the Strait of Hormuz.” The video said vessels must email detailed ship information to the recently established Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to obtain passage permission and, if required, pay transit fees. It warned that unauthorized navigation or deviations from routes designated by Iran would prompt “firm responses.”