Iran has introduced a formal application process for vessels seeking to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, escalating its efforts to assert control over the critical waterway amid the ongoing war with the United States and Israel. The new requirements, outlined in a document titled “Vessel Information Declaration,” are issued by Iran’s newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA). All ships must complete and submit the form to receive permission for safe passage — or risk being attacked.
The declaration form demands extensive details from ship operators, including:
By creating the PGSA and formalizing these procedures, Iran is attempting to turn its temporary disruption of the strait into a permanent strategic advantage. The Strait of Hormuz carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas. Controlling it gives Tehran significant leverage over global energy markets and neighboring countries.
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has publicly called for a “new regional and global order” under a “strong Iran,” with no room for foreign interference. Iranian statements have emphasized using the strait’s closure as leverage and positioned the new rules as a way to generate revenue for postwar reconstruction.
Reports suggest Iran is charging vessels up to $2 million for passage, though it remains unclear if every approved ship pays this fee.
Before the war, the strait saw an average of around 120 vessel transits per day. In the week ending May 3, 2026, only 40 ships crossed the entire week. As of May 7, marine traffic data showed almost no tanker or freight movement through the chokepoint.
Roughly 1,000 vessels and 20,000 seafarers remain trapped in the Persian Gulf, facing severe hardship. Maritime experts stress that civilian mariners are caught in the middle of a geopolitical conflict they did not create.
International Reactions and Risks
The United States has strongly opposed Iranian control of the strait. The U.S. Treasury Department has warned that any payments to Iran or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for passage are prohibited for American persons and entities and could trigger sanctions.
Some countries, including India and Pakistan, have reportedly negotiated directly with Iran to secure safe passage for their flagged vessels. However, many shipping companies are avoiding the route entirely due to the risks of attack or legal repercussions.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
