Iran Enforces New Transit Protocol for Strait of Hormuz

In early May, Iran’s newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) issued a “Vessel Information Declaration” requiring every ship that wishes to transit the Strait of Hormuz to submit a detailed electronic form. The questionnaire contains more than 40 items, including vessel name, identification number, previous names, flag state, owners, operators, crew nationalities and cargo details. The PGSA email stresses that “complete and accurate information is essential” and warns that “any incorrect or incomplete information provided will be the sole responsibility of the applicant, and any resulting consequences will be borne accordingly.” Vessels that fail to obtain permission risk interception by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy, which has already seized ships such as the cargo vessel Epaminondas. Iran is also reportedly charging up to $2 million per vessel for passage.

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Before the end of February, the strait—through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas passes—remained open to all flag states. Following the United States and Israel’s campaign against Iran, Tehran began threatening attacks on vessels lacking IRGC approval and subsequently moved to institutionalize its control through the PGSA.

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• Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) – Iranian body issuing transit permits.

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• Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – Enforces the protocol at sea.

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• Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei – Articulated a strategic vision for the Gulf.

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• U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) – Issued guidance prohibiting U.S. persons from paying Iranian tolls.

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• Dimitris Maniatis, CEO of Marisks – Provides maritime-risk analysis.

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• Richard Meade, Lloyd’s Intelligence – Comments on the formalization of Iranian requirements.

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• Matt Wright, Kpler – Marine-intelligence analyst on traffic scenarios.

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• Pre-war traffic averaged 120 vessel crossings per day; only 40 ships crossed the week ending May 3.

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• Approximately 20,000 seafarers on 1,000 vessels are reported to be trapped in the Persian Gulf.

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• The PGSA questionnaire exceeds 40 questions.

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• Iran’s alleged tolls can reach $2 million per vessel.

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• Analysts estimate that under a long-term Iranian-control scenario, transits could rise to 40-50 % of export capacity, far below pre-war levels.

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Supreme Leader Khamenei’s Telegram post called for a “new regional and global order under the strategy of a strong Iran” and highlighted “using the leverage of closing the strait” to achieve that vision. The PGSA’s communication reiterated the need for accurate vessel data and warned of consequences for non-compliance. OFAC clarified that payments to the Iranian government or the IRGC for safe passage “would not be authorized for U.S. persons, including U.S. financial institutions, or for U.S.-owned or -controlled foreign entities.” U.S. officials have repeatedly stated they will not accept Iranian control of the chokepoint.

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Marisks’ Maniatis warned that the toll demands place “civilian mariners… in very difficult conditions” and stressed that “mariners are not soldiers.” Richard Meade observed that the new paperwork “formalizes the structure and appears to be a play by Iran to normalize its authority over transits.” Analysts caution that prolonged Iranian control could have “profound consequences for the global oil and gas markets.”

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IRGC speedboats intercepted the cargo ship Epaminondas on April 21, citing violations of the new protocol. Radio warnings from the IRGC have been broadcast to ships in the area, and satellite data shows near-zero tanker traffic in the strait as of early May.

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It remains unclear whether any shipping company has actually applied for a PGSA permit, whether a fee will be charged in every case, and how U.S. sanctions would apply to vessels that obtain Iranian permission. The PGSA has not responded to media inquiries.

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• “new regional and global order under the strategy of a strong Iran” — Mojtaba Khamenei, Supreme Leader (Telegram)

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• “complete and accurate information is essential” — PGSA email

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• “Any incorrect or incomplete information provided will be the sole responsibility of the applicant, and any resulting consequences will be borne accordingly,” — PGSA email

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• “demands for payments, payments for toll fees, as we say, for those vessels to be granted permission to sail,” — Dimitris Maniatis, CEO, Marisks

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• “Mariners are not soldiers. They are civilians who are piloting vessels, who are managing global trade. They should not be caught in a situation like this.” — Dimitris Maniatis, Marisks

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• “There is growing evidence that Iran may seek to retain strategic control of the strait for as long as possible. At the same time, the US may tolerate this outcome,” — Matt Wright, Kpler

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Iran continues to negotiate limited transit agreements with India and Pakistan while the United States monitors the situation through Treasury guidance and naval deployments. Kpler projects that, even if Iran secures partial control, transits will likely remain at 40-50 % of pre-war capacity, sustaining pressure on global energy prices. Ongoing diplomatic efforts and potential resumption of U.S. “Project Freedom” assistance will shape the strait’s operational future.

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