Iran’s self-declared Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has published a clearer outline of the maritime area where it claims oversight authority in the Strait of Hormuz, adding pressure to commercial shipping already facing disruption in the region.
In a post on X, PGSA said Iran’s “Strait of Hormuz management supervision area” extends from a line between Kuh Mobarak in Iran and south of Fujairah in the UAE to a line between the end of Qeshm Island in Iran and Umm al-Qaiwain in the UAE.
The description covers much of the strait and nearby approaches between Iran and the UAE. A map published with the statement appeared to show broad areas of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman under Iranian armed forces oversight, beyond the traffic separation scheme used by international shipping.
PGSA also said vessels operating on frequencies in the area would need coordination with the Persian Gulf Waterway Management and a permit from that entity to pass through the strait.
The declaration is part of Iran’s wider attempt to formalize a permission-based transit system through Hormuz during the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict and a sharp decline in normal shipping activity.
New guidance issued this month by major shipping groups, including BIMCO, INTERTANKO, OCIMF, and the International Chamber of Shipping, warned that conditions around Hormuz remain unstable and dangerous even if traffic resumes. The guidance cited GNSS jamming and spoofing, AIS manipulation, unmanned surface vessel attacks, limpet mines, missile and drone strikes, sea mines near the traffic separation scheme, and rapid congestion after prolonged delays.
PGSA first appeared publicly earlier this month through an X account describing itself as Iran’s legal authority for managing transit through the Strait of Hormuz. It warned that vessels passing through areas designated by Iranian authorities without full coordination would be treated as operating illegally.
Previous reporting indicated that shipowners had been asked to contact PGSA for transit authorization and provide operational details, including cargo values, crew nationalities, voyage origins and destinations, and past flag registrations.
Iranian officials also signaled plans to build a regional framework around the emerging system. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran is seeking a mechanism with Oman for “sustainable security” in Hormuz and is prepared to develop safe shipping protocols with other coastal states.
Separately, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy said 26 commercial vessels, including tankers, container ships and other merchant vessels, had transited the strait over the previous 24 hours in coordination with Iran.
The move has raised concern among shipowners and maritime security advisors. According to the source, the industry remains skeptical that an Iran-administered transit regime can provide reliable or legally secure passage. Concerns also include sea mines, GPS interference, vessel attacks, and legal exposure linked to coordination with Iranian authorities or entities connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The latest statements followed a U.S. Central Command announcement that U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded and searched the Iranian-flagged tanker M/T Celestial Sea in the Gulf of Oman before ordering it to change course. CENTCOM said the action was part of Washington’s maritime blockade enforcement campaign, which it said had redirected more than 90 commercial ships near Iranian ports.
Industry guidance also warned that any reopening of transit windows could increase collision and grounding risks due to compressed vessel flows, AIS saturation, erratic maneuvering, reduced military oversight, and crew fatigue.
Commercial traffic through Hormuz remains well below normal levels, with many shipowners still avoiding transits without credible multinational security guarantees and verified mine-clearance operations.
