Click to see full-size image. (X)
Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) on June 19 announced new procedures for vessels seeking to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
The statutory authority was founded by Iran last May, amid the ceasefire with the United States. The Islamic Republic said at the time that the authority will be responsible for the authorization and regulation of maritime transit after contacting the authority.
The latest announcement came just a day after the United States lifted its naval blockade off Iran, as part of the memorandum of understanding signed earlier in the week to end the war. The deal calls on Iran to remove restrictions on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz for the 60-day period in which talks on a final comprehensive agreement will be held.
The PGSA said in its latest statement that, under directives issued after the memorandum’s signing, vessels wishing to pass through the strategic waterway during the period covered by the deal must submit transit requests through its designated official channels to receive prompt clearance.
It also stressed that its official website and email address are the only approved channels for processing passage requests and that applicants must provide valid and accessible contact information for their vessels.
In addition, the authority instructed shipowners to submit complete passage requests at least 48 hours before arriving at the Strait of Hormuz to avoid delays at entry or exit points.
Tolls for security, safety and environmental services, as well as related Iranian insurance, will not be collected during a period of 60 days, with the costs to be borne by the government, according to the statement.
The authority further noted that, because of mine-affected areas and the need to ensure safe navigation and prevent collisions, vessels must coordinate their designated routes and scheduled transit times before approaching the strait. It warned that failure to comply with these requirements would be the responsibility of the vessel owner.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said in a statement a day earlier that the PGSA will take measures to issue fast authorizations to ships hoping to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as per the deal with the U.S.
The memorandum solidified Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz. The text of the deal explicitly states that the Islamic Republic “will conduct dialog with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz in discussion with other Persian Gulf littoral states in line with the applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.”
If a final agreement is reached after the negotiation period, Iran would be free to impose a toll on the Strait of Hormuz, as long as this is done in coordination with Oman and other Persian Gulf states. This was reflected in the PGSA’s latest statement, which said that tolls won’t be imposed for just 60 days.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
