Iran establishes special authority for Strait of Hormuz management
Iran’s top security body has announced the formation of a new authority to manage the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a move that formalizes its control over the vital waterway.
The Supreme National Security Council revealed the establishment of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) on Monday via a post on its official X account, which was also shared by the Revolutionary Guards’ navy. The stated purpose of the new body is to provide “real-time updates on the #Hormuz_Strait operations and latest developments.”
While the full scope of the PGSA’s functions remains unclear, it appears to be the mechanism for Tehran’s asserted sovereignty over the strait. Earlier this month, Iranian state media described a new “system to exercise sovereignty” and reported that ships passing through the waterway were being sent “regulations.” On Saturday, the head of the Iranian parliament’s national security commission, Ebrahim Azizi, added that Iran has prepared a “professional mechanism to manage traffic” that would be “unveiled soon.”
Tehran has effectively controlled and largely blocked shipping through the strait since the outbreak of conflict with the United States and Israel on February 28, despite a fragile ceasefire in place since April 8. Iran’s actions have rattled global markets and given it significant leverage, prompting a retaliatory US naval blockade on Iranian ports. Iran has repeatedly stated that maritime traffic will “not return to its pre-war status” and last month claimed to have collected its first revenue from tolls imposed on vessels.
