Iran Says 300 Ships Sign up for Hormuz Transit Scheme Despite U.S. Opposition
Iran has claimed that around 300 foreign vessels have registered for its new Strait of Hormuz transit system, despite strong opposition from the United States, escalating tensions over one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
According to Iran’s newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), most of the applications have come from non-Iranian commercial vessels, including oil tankers heading to Asian markets. Tehran says the scheme is designed to regulate traffic and provide safe passage through the strategic waterway.
The United States has rejected the initiative, accusing Iran of attempting to impose illegal transit fees on international shipping. Washington has sanctioned the PGSA and warned ship operators that payments linked to the authority could expose them to U.S. penalties.
The dispute comes amid ongoing instability in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas exports. Shipping companies have reported increased security risks, while hundreds of vessels and thousands of crew members have faced disruptions due to regional tensions.
Iran has argued that the new system is necessary to ensure maritime safety and manage traffic through the narrow waterway. However, critics contend that international maritime law does not permit discriminatory toll regimes for ships exercising the right of transit passage.
The latest developments underscore the growing geopolitical and economic significance of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a substantial share of the world’s energy supplies passes each day.
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