Tehran insists that no vessel can pass through the Strait of Hormuz without coordination with Iran

Tehran’s Strait of Hormuz authorities announced the establishment of a controlled maritime zone in the Strait of Hormuz, requiring ships to coordinate with and obtain permission from the authorities before transiting the waterway. In a statement published on Wednesday (20 May 2026) on the social media platform X, the authorities outlined the bounds of the strait’s management and monitoring area. The zone extends from Kuh-e Mubarak in Iran to the southern Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates at the eastern entrance of the strait, and from the tip of Iran’s Qeshm Island to Umm al-Quwain in the UAE at the western entrance. The authorities also released a map illustrating the newly designated zone. Iran will also work with international organisations to create a mechanism to ensure a safe passage for vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz. This was stated by the spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baghaei, on Wednesday. ‘In co-operation with Oman and coordinated with related international organisations, Iran is seeking to create a mechanism to ensure the continuous security and prevent any threats to national interests in the Strait of Hormuz,’ Baghaei said, as quoted by IRIB broadcaster. Tensions in the region have risen since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran in February. Tehran responded by striking at Israel and US allies in the Gulf, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A truce came into effect on 8 April through mediation by Pakistan, but Islamabad talks failed to yield a permanent agreement. United States President Donald Trump subsequently extended the ceasefire indefinitely while maintaining a ban on ships bound for or departing from Iranian ports via the strategic waterway.