Iran Announces New Body To Control Strait of Hormuz Operations Amid US Conflict

Iran has announced the formation of a new body to oversee operations in the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a further tightening of its control over one of the world's most important maritime trade routes. The move comes as Tehran continues to restrict shipping activity through the strategic waterway following months of conflict involving the United States and Israel.

The announcement was made on Monday by Iran's Supreme National Security Council through its official X account, which introduced the newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA). The body said it would provide "real?time updates on the #Hormuz_Strait operations and latestdevelopments."

New Authority To Oversee Strait Operations

The same announcement was also shared by the navy wing of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, indicating the strategic importance attached to the new authority.

While Iranian officials have not yet fully detailed the role or powers of the PGSA, earlier reports from Iranian state-linked broadcaster Press TV suggested that the authority is part of a broader "system to exercise sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz."

According to the report, ships moving through the strait have already begun receiving "regulations" from the email address [email protected], suggesting that Iran is introducing a more formal administrative framework for maritime traffic through the passage.

Strait Remains Under Tight Iranian Control

Iran has effectively restricted shipping movement through the Strait of Hormuz since the war involving the United States and Israel began on February 28. Although a ceasefire has been in place since April 8, Tehran has repeatedly indicated that normal operations in the region are unlikely to resume soon.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical trade chokepoints. During peacetime, nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass through the narrow waterway. Large volumes of fertiliser and other commodities are also transported through the route.

Iran's increased control over the strait has raised concerns in international energy markets, with traders and governments closely monitoring developments in the Gulf region. At the same time, the United States has maintained its own naval blockade targeting Iranian ports.

Iran Signals Permanent Changes In Maritime Traffic

Iranian officials have continued to emphasise that shipping conditions in the region have fundamentally changed after the conflict. Tehran previously stated that maritime traffic through the strait would "not return to its pre-war status."

Last month, Iranian authorities also confirmed that the country had received its first revenue payments from tolls imposed on vessels moving through the waterway.

The latest move appears to formalise those efforts further through the newly created PGSA structure.

Iran Says Detailed Traffic Plan Will Be Revealed Soon

On Saturday, Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament's national security commission, said the country had already developed a detailed framework to regulate movement through the strait.

He stated that Iran "has prepared a professional mechanism to manage traffic" through the waterway and added that the plan would be "unveiled soon".

The announcement is expected to draw close international attention, particularly from energy-importing nations and global shipping companies that rely heavily on uninterrupted access through the Strait of Hormuz.