Iran Formally Establishes New Entity to Oversee the Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Supreme National Security Council revealed on Monday the establishment of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a new entity tasked with overseeing the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway that Tehran has effectively closed and now seeks to charge vessels to navigate.

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The council's official X account shared a post announcing the formation of the PGSA, which promises to deliver "real-time updates on the #Hormuz_Strait operations and latest developments", a message also shared by the account of the Revolutionary Guards navy.

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The exact role of the new body remains unclear, but Iranian broadcaster Press TV had previously described it as a "system to exercise sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz", with ships passing through the strait receiving "regulations" from the email [email protected].

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Iran has severely restricted shipping through the strait since the onset of war with the United States and Israel on February 28, with a fragile ceasefire in place since April 8.

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The strait's closure has significantly impacted global markets, granting Tehran substantial leverage, while the United States has imposed its own naval blockade on Iranian ports.

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In times of peace, the strait accounts for approximately a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, as well as other vital commodities, including fertiliser.

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Iran has consistently stated that maritime traffic through the strait will "not return to its pre-war status", and last month, it announced that it had received its first revenue from tolls on the waterway.

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Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament's national security commission, stated on Saturday that Iran "has prepared a professional mechanism to manage traffic" through the strait, which will be "unveiled soon".