NEW DELHI,11 May 2026 : Amid the US and Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz over the standoff to end the war in the Middle East, Tehran has introduced new rules for vessels seeking to transit the strategic waterway and collect a toll from them, according to a shipping journal.
Tehran’s move to formalise control over the waterway came even as Washington pushed for a deal to reopen the narrow passage through which a fifth of the world’s oil normally passes.
“The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has already introduced a new framework requiring ships to obtain transit authorisation and pay tolls before sailing,” said Lloyd’s List, the industry journal which provides news and intelligence on shipping and maritime trade.
Citing a form– titled “Vessel Information Declaration”– sent by the authority, the journal added that all ships seeking safe passage through the strait “are required to submit detailed records of ownership, insurance, crew details and intended transit route.”
The form reportedly contains over 40 questions requiring shipping vessels to also disclose their name, identification number, any previous name, country of origin and destination, nationalities of the vessel’s registered owners, operators and crew, as well as details of the cargo on board.
Iranian English-speaking broadcaster Press TV also reported that Tehran had built a “system to exercise sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz” and that ships passing through the strait were sent “regulations” from the email info@PGSA.ir.
According to the PGSA, the form must be filled out with “complete and accurate information” and emailed to the authority before vessels can transit the strait. It said that after processing transit requests, “further instructions will be communicated via email” to the vessels.
It also warned that any incorrect or incomplete information provided will be the sole responsibility of the applicant, and any resulting consequences will be borne accordingly.
The Islamic Republic has not issued any statement about granting special favours to any nation seeking transit through Hormuz. However, Iran’s army has warned that countries complying with US sanctions against Tehran would face difficulties crossing the Strait.
“Countries that comply with the United States by imposing sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran will certainly face difficulties crossing the strait,” army official Mohammad Akraminia told Iran’s official IRNA news agency on Sunday.
“We have established a new legal and security system in the Strait of Hormuz. From now on, any vessel wishing to pass through it must coordinate with us,” he added.
He said the system was “now in force” and would bring “economic, security and political gains”.
On Saturday, Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s national security commission, issued a similar warning in a post on X.
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