Iran announces new authority for Strait of Hormuz management

TEHRAN: Iran’s top security body on Monday announced the creation of a new organisation to oversee the Strait of Hormuz, a move that comes as Tehran continues to tightly control traffic through the strategic waterway and seeks to levy charges on vessels using it.

In a post on its official X account, the Supreme National Security Council introduced the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, or PGSA. The post said the body would provide

real-time updates on the #Hormuz_Strait operations and latest developments

The same post was also shared by the account of the Revolutionary Guards’ navy.

New body announced amid shipping restrictions

It was not immediately clear what responsibilities the newly announced authority would formally assume. However, earlier this month, Iranian English-language broadcaster Press TV described it as a system intended to enforce Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

According to that report, vessels transiting the strait were being sent regulations from the email address [email protected].

Iran has largely obstructed shipping through the waterway since the war involving the United States and Israel began on February 28. A fragile ceasefire has remained in place since April 8.

Tehran’s control over the strait has unsettled international markets and increased its strategic leverage. At the same time, the United States has imposed its own naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Economic significance of the waterway

Under normal conditions, the Strait of Hormuz handles about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. It is also a major route for other commodities, including fertiliser.

Since the conflict began, Iran has repeatedly said maritime movement through the strait would

not return to its pre-war status

Last month, Iran said it had received its first income from tolls collected on the waterway, signalling that the policy of charging ships had already begun to generate revenue.

Officials had signalled plan earlier

The latest announcement follows remarks made on Saturday by Ebrahim Azizi, who heads the Iranian parliament’s national security commission. He said Iran

has prepared a professional mechanism to manage traffic

through the strait and added that it will be

unveiled soon

Monday’s announcement by the Supreme National Security Council appears to be the formal rollout of that mechanism, though the council’s statement did not spell out operational details.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, and developments there continue to be closely watched because of their implications for energy supplies and regional security.