Vessels seeking to transit the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian protection are now required to submit crew and cargo manifests, voyage details, and bills of lading to obtain approval from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to informed sources. Individuals familiar with trade flows indicate that the process remains specific and varies from ship to ship, but this signals Iran's increasing efforts to strengthen control over this crucial maritime passage through a semi-formal system as the conflict in the Persian Gulf enters its fourth week. Sources state that Iran has requested fees from some, but not all, vessels. These requests, communicated through intermediaries and varying in amount, are typically directed at tankers, gas carriers, or other ships carrying high-value cargo. Since attacks by the United States and Israel began nearly a month ago, only a very small number of vessels have successfully navigated the waterway, many of which are tankers linked to Iran or China. Most vessels that have apparently transited under Tehran's protection have followed a similar route, sailing close to the Iranian coastline. In a communique earlier this week, Iran stated that vessels from friendly nations continue to sail "in coordination with the competent Iranian authorities." While Iran's Supreme Leader Mujtaba Khamenei has previously suggested Iran should close the strait, the communique stated the waterway remains open and "traffic has not been interrupted." On Tuesday, the IRGC stated it had expelled a container ship for failing to comply with legal protocols and lacking permission to transit the strait. The US administration has been pressuring Iran for dialogue after President Trump set, and then extended, a 48-hour deadline over the weekend for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened. Developments, including a "15-point plan" aimed at ending the war, helped calm oil prices which had spiked on Wednesday – yet there are few signs of easing tensions on the ground, and no immediate change in traffic patterns around the Strait of Hormuz is apparent. Asian nations are heavily affected by the disruption to energy trade through the Persian Gulf, with fuel shortages appearing across the region. India, one of the hardest-hit countries, is experiencing a severe shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Following dialogue between Tehran and New Delhi, only a very small number of Indian LPG tankers have managed to transit the strait. India has stated that international law guarantees freedom of navigation in the strait, implying that no fees should be levied. One of the informed sources mentioned that Chinese government agencies responsible for supervising shipping are aware that some Chinese vessels have paid protection fees through local agents, adding that officials view such charges as unfounded. This is partly because navigational rights are protected by international law, and partly because China is a critical trade partner for the region and an economic lifeline for Iran, purchasing the majority of its exported oil. Iran has stated that the full restoration of security and stability to the strait depends on the cessation of military threats in the region.
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