Iran establishes regulated maritime zone in Strait of Hormuz

Authorities in Iran have announced the creation of a regulated maritime zone in the Strait of Hormuz, requiring mandatory authorisation for passage through the area.

The Authority for the Persian Gulf at the Strait of Hormuz said in a post on X that the new zone extends from Kuh-e Mubarak in Iran to the southern coast of Fujairah at the eastern entrance of the strait, and from Qeshm Island to Umm Al-Quwain at the western entrance.

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جمهورى اسلامى ايران محدودهٔ نظارتى مديریت تنگه هرمز را به این شرح تعيین کرده است: «خط اتصال كوه مبارك درايران وجنوب فجيره درامارات در شرق تنگه تاخط اتصال انتهاى جزيره قشم درايران و ام القيوین امارات درغرب تنگه.» pic.twitter.com/3ELSwYx5Bp

— PGSA | نهاد مدیریت آبراه خلیج فارس (@PGSA_IRAN) May 20, 2026

Under the new regulations, all maritime traffic passing through the designated area must obtain prior approval from Iranian authorities, effectively strengthening Tehran’s control over one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes.

By Jeyhun Aghazada