On May 5, The Wall Street Journal, citing Iranian official media, reported that Iran has launched a new mechanism named the "Persian Gulf Strait Authority," aimed at regulating maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Under this mechanism, vessels planning to transit the strait will receive guidance on the relevant transit rules through an official email address. Ships must comply with this framework and obtain prior authorization before passing through the waterway.

Source: AFP

Further details regarding exactly how the mechanism will operate, the specific content of the transit regulations, or how Iran will handle perceived violations remain unclear. Press TV reported that the mechanism "is now operational in the Strait of Hormuz."

The Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also issued warnings on Tuesday to vessels attempting to transit the strait, posting on social media that the only safe passage is the corridor designated by Iran, and that any vessel deviating from this route will face action.

This new transit mechanism appears to be designed to assert Iranian sovereignty over the paralyzed waterway through which one-fifth of the world's oil and gas once flowed. The establishment of the mechanism comes against the backdrop of President Trump's blockade of Iranian ports and the rollout of a U.S. Navy plan to protect vessels transiting the strait, an initiative which so far appears to have had limited effect.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the American initiative on Tuesday, asserting that the United States controls the strait. IRIB, the Iranian state broadcaster, dismissed U.S. efforts as having failed and stated that Iran's control over the waterway has been "reinforced."