Iran formalizes Strait of Hormuz transit procedures, establishes 'Persian Strait Authority'

According to Iranian state announcements reported by i24NEWS, the new procedures cite Article 5 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Under the new mandate, commercial vessels must submit transit requests through the PGSA.ir portal. The Iranian government stated that for an initial 60-day period, no transit fees will be charged, and Tehran will cover the administrative costs of the operation. During this window, the authority has been instructed to process applications with high priority.

Administrative Control and Routing

The regulations stipulate that vessels will be assigned specific routes and schedules by the authority, ostensibly for safety reasons. This administrative layer follows weeks of tension in the Gulf, where The Zioneer has previously tracked Iranian claims of joint sovereignty with Oman and attempts to end the era of free passage. While a senior U.S. official recently suggested that the waterway would reopen "with no tolls" under a framework deal, Tehran’s establishment of a formal permit system suggests a long-term intent to institutionalize its oversight of the strait.

Regional Implications

The move comes as the U.S. and Iran remain in a delicate diplomatic and kinetic balance. By framing the control as a safety and administrative requirement under the Islamabad MOU, Iran is attempting to legitimize its presence as the primary regulator of the strait. The 60-day grace period on fees appears to be a tactical maneuver, potentially providing a window for diplomatic alignment while the infrastructure for a permanent toll or permit system is solidified. Security analysts note that the requirement for vessels to follow assigned schedules and routes gives the Iranian military-intelligence apparatus granular control over the movement of global energy supplies.