The Islamic Republic of Iran has formally defined its regulatory jurisdiction over the Strait of Hormuz and established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to oversee and manage transit through one of the world’s most strategically critical waterways.
According to the PGSA, Iran has delineated the controlled maritime zone as the area between the line connecting Kuh-e Mubarak in Iran to the south of Fujairah in the UAE at the eastern entrance of the strait, and the line connecting the tip of Qeshm Island in Iran to Umm Al-Quwain in the UAE at the western entrance.
Under the new framework, any vessel transiting through this zone for the purpose of passing through the Strait of Hormuz is required to coordinate with and obtain authorisation from the Persian Gulf Strait Authority prior to passage.
The move carries significant implications for global shipping, as the Strait of Hormuz is the sole maritime passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, through which a substantial share of the world’s seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas flows daily.
The announcement is expected to draw close attention from shipowners, flag states and maritime authorities worldwide, as the requirement for prior authorisation could introduce new operational and compliance considerations for vessels on this route.
No further details have been issued at this stage regarding the specific procedures for obtaining authorisation or the consequences of non-compliance.
