The Iranian Executive has made public this Monday a new system to control maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which contemplates the collection of tolls from ships that cross it in the context of the naval blockade decreed by the United States after the start of the conflict on February 28.
The Supreme National Security Council of Iran has detailed that the so-called Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) will disseminate "real-time updates" on operations in the Strait of Hormuz through its social media profiles.
In one of its first statements, this new body has stressed that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz "is subject to full coordination" with the competent authorities, so that "unauthorized passage will be considered illegal."
Along these lines, it has emphasized that the PGSA is the "legal entity and representative authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the management of transit through the Strait of Hormuz."
The announcement comes after the chairman of the National Security Commission of the Iranian Parliament, Ebrahim Azizi, warned that ships intending to cross Hormuz must adhere to the payment system set by Tehran, with the use of the dollar in these transactions being "strictly prohibited."
The United States and Iran maintain indirect dialogue with Pakistan's mediation, although the marked discrepancies between both parties have so far prevented a second meeting from being convened in Islamabad. The Pakistani capital was the scene of the first meeting after the ceasefire agreed on April 8, which has since been extended indefinitely by decision of US President Donald Trump.
Tehran has pointed to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the recent boarding and seizure of Iranian ships by US forces in the area as one of the reasons for not returning to Islamabad, considering that these actions violate the ceasefire and block diplomatic contacts.
The White House announced a humanitarian operation to escort ships held in the Persian Gulf, although on May 5 the plan, known as Project Liberty, was suspended at the request of several countries and depending on the evolution of the talks.
The UN warns about freedom of navigation and economic consequences
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, reiterated this Monday his objective of "ensuring that there are no restrictions on freedom of navigation on the high seas and in the Strait of Hormuz," when asked at a press conference about the compatibility of the agency announced by Iran with that principle of free maritime transit.
"We do not want any particular entity to restrict that freedom of access," he indicated, as reported by his deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, from United Nations headquarters in New York.
Furthermore, when questioned about whether the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could constitute a crime against humanity by hindering the transport of essential goods, the spokesperson avoided commenting directly. However, he warned that "the lack of fuel and fertilizers will cause various crises in the form of high inflation rates, lower growth, and ultimately, a long-term food crisis, which will particularly affect the countries that can least afford it."
"That is why (Guterres) wants to ensure that basic freedom of navigation is restored, as enshrined in the Law of the Sea and other relevant laws," Haq concluded.