Tehran, Aug 2026 : Iran has tightened its approach to maritime traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, warning vessels that violate its transit protocols that they could face restrictions on future passage, including fines, detention or confiscation.
The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), which oversees maritime traffic in the waterway, issued the warning on Sunday through a post on social media platform X. The authority urged cargo owners and shipping companies operating to and from the Persian Gulf to review its list of “Non-Compliant Vessels” before chartering ships to avoid potential difficulties during transit.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran, the United States and other regional powers, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining one of the world's most strategically important maritime routes. A significant share of global energy shipments passes through the waterway, making any disruption potentially consequential for international oil markets and regional trade.
Separately, Hassan Qashqavi, spokesman for the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said the committee had approved an article in a draft plan aimed at strengthening security in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to semi-official Fars news agency, the proposed legislation would allow Iran to charge fees for services it provides to vessels using the waterway. These would include navigation assistance, environmental services, refuelling under special circumstances, insurance-related services and safety support.
Qashqavi said the article was approved during the committee’s meeting on Sunday. The proposal could establish a formal mechanism for Iran to recover costs associated with maritime services and security operations in the strategically sensitive waterway.
The developments come against the backdrop of increasingly sharp rhetoric from US President Donald Trump over Iran. Trump recently described the Strait of Hormuz as “American territory” while reiterating that Washington would not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he was seeking support for Republican Senate candidate Darlene Graham ahead of a runoff election, Trump said Iran was eager to reach an agreement but also issued a warning over its nuclear programme.
“They wanna make a deal so badly,” Trump said before referring to the Strait of Hormuz as “an American territory”. He did not provide any legal or territorial basis for the claim.
Trump also said the conflict with Iran had disrupted his domestic political and economic agenda, adding that the United States would have to address what he described as the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon,” he said.
Iran has previously taken measures to tighten control over shipping through the Strait. On February 28, Tehran reportedly barred safe passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following joint strikes by the two countries on Iranian territory.
The latest warnings from the PGSA and the proposed maritime service fees indicate Tehran’s continued emphasis on asserting control over navigation through the waterway. Any further restrictions could have implications for shipping operators and global energy markets, particularly if tensions in the region escalate.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
