Iran's new Hormuz authority declares controlled maritime zone requiring transit authorisation

What happened

The New Arab reports that Iran’s newly established “Persian Gulf Strait Authority” announced the creation of a 'controlled maritime zone' covering the Strait of Hormuz. Transit through this zone will require coordination and authorisation from the authority, which defines the zone's boundaries between points on both Iranian and UAE coasts.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure or battlefield claim should be read as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source. This new authority aims to manage passage through the strait, a vital route for about a fifth of global oil shipments and a significant portion of the world’s fertiliser supply. According to the source, the authority delineated the zone from a line connecting Kuh-e Mobarak in Iran with southern Fujairah in the UAE at the eastern side, to a line between the end of Qeshm Island in Iran and Umm Al Quwain in the UAE on the western side.

Concerns are mounting internationally as traffic through the Strait has already been disrupted by the US and Israeli military actions against Iran reported since late February this year. Tehran has reportedly closed the strait to tanker and cargo traffic, intensifying fears of supply shocks.

Known from the source

• Iran has created the Persian Gulf Strait Authority tasked with controlling the Strait of Hormuz.
• The authority declared a 'controlled maritime zone' with defined geographic boundaries between Iran and the UAE.
• Transit through this zone requires coordination and authorisation from the new authority.
• Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was impacted by US and Israeli military actions against Iran starting at the end of February 2026.
• Tehran has reportedly shut down the strait to tanker and cargo traffic.

What remains unclear

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) issued a warning that continued blockage or disruption in the Strait could trigger a severe global food price crisis in the months ahead, noting the timing ahead of the summer growing season.

What remains unclear: Verification of Iranian enforcement or practical control over the declared controlled maritime zone. Confirmation of any official international or regional responses to the creation of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority. Independent confirmation of the extent of closure or blockage affecting tanker and cargo movements through the strait. Clarity on the exact coordinates and operational jurisdiction of the 'controlled maritime zone'.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: The New Arab. Open the source.