Iran Establishes Persian Gulf Strait Authority to Control Hormuz Passage Amid Rising Tensions

Iran has recently escalated its strategic leverage by creating the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), a body aimed at regulating maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Launched about a month ago, the PGSA requires vessels to obtain permission before passing, despite Iran lacking exclusive sovereignty over the strait and thus no legal right to impose such conditions. The authority has also established a social media presence on X to disseminate updates and claims to be the legal representative managing passage through the strait.

Since its inception in May, the PGSA has published data on passage requests, categorized by vessel type and country, and released maps of the area it claims to oversee. The United States has responded by adding the PGSA to its sanctions list, accusing it of violating international law and supporting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which it labels a terrorist entity. The U.S. Treasury warned that entities cooperating with the PGSA risk sanctions.

Iran defends the PGSA as a positive development and insists it continues to grant passage permits to non-hostile ships to facilitate traffic. Meanwhile, Oman, which controls the opposite side of the strait, has engaged in talks with Iran about future management of Hormuz but no definitive agreements have been reached. Oman’s Foreign Ministry emphasized coordination aligned with both countries’ interests and adherence to international maritime law, rejecting tolls on passing vessels.

Reports from Bloomberg indicate Oman has informed European parties that returning to pre-conflict conditions in Hormuz is unlikely and that fees might be charged for services like pollution control or navigation assistance, though mandatory tolls remain uncertain. Despite mixed signals from Oman, the PGSA’s existence and Iran’s threats have heightened apprehension among shipping operators, leading many to avoid the route.

Omani officials reaffirm their commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and stress that any agreement must include Iran and comply with international law. They also highlighted regional efforts to reduce escalation and prevent attacks, placing primary responsibility on Iran to ensure the strait is free of hazards such as mines. Iranian state media reported a decline in maritime traffic due to recent clashes between Washington and Tehran, noting that commercial shipping continues but at reduced levels amid growing fears over security in the strait.