Iran Tightens Strait of Hormuz Control with New Transit Authority Gaborone, Botswana — Iran’s newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has imposed stringent transit rules on the Strait of Hormuz, raising global tensions. Tehran’s decision to require all vessels to seek approval for passage has been met with criticism from the international community, including the United States and Gulf countries.
The PGSA has declared itself the legal authority managing vessel movement through the strategic waterway, which handles around one — fifth of the world’s oil and LNG shipments.
The authority has already reported instances of vessels paying up to $2 million per transit in Chinese yuan, though no official tariff has been announced. These developments follow a reported “punishment “strike on the Liberian oil tanker Barakah, which was struck by unknown projectiles in the strait.
The tanker, managed by Abu Dhabi National Oil Corporation (ADNOC) Logistics & Services, is among several vessels affected by Iran’s new transit regime. Ship-tracking data indicates a significant drop in shipping traffic through the strait, with only 279 ships transiting between February 28 and April 12, a stark contrast to the pre-conflict average of about 100 ships per day. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) asserts that vessel movements remain operational under Iranian security coordination, although shipping companies and global energy markets express concerns over potential disruptions.
The new transit rules have drawn criticism from the United States and its allies, with officials warning of potential action against foreign companies supporting illicit Iranian commerce.
As Iran tightens its control over the strait, the international community monitors the situation closely, wary of the potential for further escalation.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africa.businessinsider
Source: Olamilekan Okebiorun
