Iran Expands Claims Over Strait of Hormuz, Demands Transit Authorisation
Iran has significantly expanded its claimed military control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. A new map issued by Tehran's "Persian Gulf Strait Authority" designates more than 22,000 sq km as under "Iranian armed forces oversight", extending into the territorial waters of Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
The newly established authority stated that all vessel transit through the strait now "requires coordination with and authorization from the Persian Gulf Strait Authority". This assertion has been met with sharp criticism from the UAE, whose diplomatic adviser, Anwar Gargash, described Iran's claims as "nothing but fragments of dreams", linking them to a "clear military defeat" for Tehran.
The United States and its Gulf allies have consistently rejected Iranian attempts to exert control over the strait, advising commercial shipping to disregard any such regulations imposed by Iran. International maritime law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, guarantees safe passage through territorial waters, though Iran has not ratified this convention.
This escalation follows a US military operation where forces boarded an Iran-bound oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, suspected of violating American sanctions against Iranian ports. US Central Command (Centcom) stated it has redirected 91 commercial vessels since the US blockade of Iranian ports commenced on 13 April. Separately, Iranian state media published footage this week, purportedly showing a "punishment" strike on a tanker in the strait.
The increased tensions coincide with US President Donald Trump's statement on Monday that he delayed a planned military attack on Iran at the request of Gulf states, citing ongoing "serious negotiations". Pakistan's military chief is reportedly in Tehran for mediation efforts between Iran and the US, while Iran's foreign ministry indicated it is reviewing US proposals to end the conflict.
