Iran puts vessels accused of violating Hormuz rules on blacklist
Photo: Iranian Navy (Getty Images)
Iran has announced tighter control over vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The country's authorities have released a new list of ships that they claim are violating established transit rules, according to Newsweek.
Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) announced on Sunday a new list of non-compliant vessels. The list is intended to include ships that, in the Iranian side's assessment, violate the regulations governing transit through the Strait of Hormuz – one of the world's most critical strategic shipping lanes.
Vessels face fines and confiscation
The statement notes that ships on the list may face future restrictions during transit. Among the possible measures, the Iranian side listed fines, detention, seizure, or confiscation of vessels.
As Newsweek notes, since mid-March, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been controlling the procedure for foreign vessels transiting through Iranian waters.
Ships under foreign flags undergo inspection before receiving transit clearance. Iran insists that this is not about imposing tariffs, but rather about fees for maritime services.
According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, these payments are meant to offset the costs of providing the relevant services.
He listed navigational assistance, vessel insurance, and environmental protection measures, which Iran and Oman are jointly implementing.
Context of the statement
Tehran is stepping up pressure not only on the strait itself but also on neighboring countries. Iran has warned neighboring states about the possible consequences of supporting the US campaign targeting its economy. Tehran has stated that regional countries that join these measures could lose their partner status with Iran.
A few days ago, Trump announced that he was launching the most devastating economic operation against Iran in history. According to him, any country whose financial institutions or companies help Tehran circumvent the pressure will also face severe economic consequences.
