Iran Warns of Unsafe Passage for Ships Outside Designated Hormuz Routes

An Iranian maritime authority has warned that vessels navigating outside of designated routes in the Strait of Hormuz will not be guaranteed safe passage and will lack insurance or liability coverage.

Key points

• The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) stated that ship owners, operators, and captains are solely responsible for consequences resulting from unauthorized transit.
• The warning follows reports of an alleged attack on a cargo ship near Oman, which prompted the International Maritime Organization to suspend an evacuation plan for stranded sailors.
• Two U.S. officials stated that Iran fired upon the vessel, though Iran has not officially commented on the specific incident.
• The PGSA was established by Iran in May to manage maritime traffic in response to U.S. sanctions on Iranian ports.

Why it matters

The restriction of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint, significantly escalates regional maritime security tensions and threatens international trade.