Iran has established a new government agency to approve transit and collect duties from vessels in the strait, shipping analytics firm Lloyd's List Intelligence reported on Thursday. The move has raised fears of undermining the freedom of navigation on which global trade depends, UNN reports, citing AP.
Details
The agency, called the Gulf Strait Authority, "is positioning itself as the sole authorized body to issue permits to vessels passing through the strait," Lloyd's said in an online briefing.
Lloyd's reported that the authority had emailed it an application form for vessels wishing to pass through the strait.
Iran's attempts to formalize control over the strait come as hundreds of commercial vessels remain blocked in the Persian Gulf, unable to reach the open sea.
Iran announces "new rules" for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz06.05.26, 20:34