Iran has officially introduced new maritime regulations centered on a ‘prior transit authorization’ system for the Strait of Hormuz, state-run Press TV reported on the 5th (local time).

According to the report that day, the Iranian authorities have begun operating a new ‘sovereign maritime traffic regulation mechanism’ to control and manage vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Under the new system, all vessels seeking to pass through the Strait of Hormuz will receive guidance and transit rules via the official Iranian email (info@PGSA.ir).

Vessels intending to transit the strait must adjust their operations to comply with these rules, and must obtain prior transit authorization.

This amounts to a declaration that Iran will exercise ‘sovereign control’ in the Strait of Hormuz, which had long been treated as international waters. The Strait of Hormuz is not the high seas under international law, but as an international strait connecting the high seas (or exclusive economic zones), the ‘transit passage’ of ships has been guaranteed under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Iran initially signaled a willingness to reopen the strait after a ceasefire agreement, brokered by Pakistan and including Lebanon, was reached. However, amid disputes over ceasefire violations and continued confrontation, the sea route was closed again.

The Iranian parliament is currently moving quickly to legislate control over Hormuz. The bill includes a permanent ban on the passage of vessels related to the United States and Israel through the Strait of Hormuz, and the collection of transit fees from ordinary ships from non-hostile countries.

Meanwhile, the United States recently attempted ‘Project Freedom’ to prompt the escape of civilian vessels trapped in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Iranian Navy claimed it fired missiles and drones toward U.S. destroyers that approached the strait while ignoring no-entry warnings.

Earlier, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament who served as head of the Iranian ceasefire negotiation delegation, warned, “The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is racing toward a level that the United States will find hard to handle,” adding, “However, Iran has not even begun a full-fledged response yet.”