Berlin/Tehran,May 20, (dpa/GNA) – Twenty-six ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours in coordination with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, according to a report by the Iranian news agency Tasnim
published on Wednesday.
The ships reportedly included oil tankers, cargo ships and other commercial vessels. The Iranian leadership says it has established a regulatory body to oversee shipping traffic in the strait following the outbreak of the war.
The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), is calling on shipping companies to coordinate their movements with it. Passing through without authorization will be considered illegal, according to a statement by the newly established authority on X.
Shortly after the war began, Iran’s armed forces took control of the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for energy trade. Threats, inspections and attacks on ships brought traffic in the strait largely to a standstill. This resulted in a significant rise in energy and fuel prices worldwide. According to Iran, the strait has also since been mined.
Tehran consistently emphasizes that the Strait of Hormuz is not blocked. In reality, however, shipping companies must coordinate with Iranian contact points and are subsequently only permitted to pass through a corridor, close to the Iranian coast.
The Iranian leadership demands high fees for this. According to international law experts, such fees violate the right of transit passage.
GNA