Iran Launches Official ‘Persian Gulf Strait Authority’ Account, Declares Unauthorized Hormuz Transit ‘Illegal’

The Iranian-backed Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has officially launched a public presence on X, signaling a formal shift in maritime security protocols near the Strait of Hormuz. This development declares unauthorized transit through these strategic waters illegal, directly impacting commercial shipping routes near Bandar Abbas and the Persian Gulf. As Tehran asserts this new control regime, merchant vessels operating in the region must monitor potential escalations that could disrupt global energy supply chains and standard transit corridors for international tankers.

From a regulatory perspective, these declarations challenge the freedom of navigation principles enshrined in UNCLOS Part II, Section 3, regarding transit passage. Compliance departments must reconcile these regional mandates with existing IMO SOLAS Chapter XI-2 requirements and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Any deviation from established international maritime law to satisfy local PGSA directives could complicate insurance coverage, P&I Club liabilities, and adherence to MARPOL Annex I discharge regulations, potentially exposing vessel operators to significant legal and operational risks during transit.

Masters and navigating officers must exercise heightened vigilance when approaching the Strait of Hormuz. These professionals should prioritize bridge resource management and maintain constant communication with company security officers regarding updated transit instructions. It is critical to verify all navigational warnings and ensure that AIS data remains accurate to avoid triggering enforcement actions. Navigating officers must be prepared to adjust passage plans immediately if PGSA mandates conflict with standard international maritime safety protocols or established traffic separation schemes.