Arabic version: إيران تطبق نظام تدقيق لشحنات مضيق هرمز

According to Al Jazeera,

Iran is developing a new vetting and registration system for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz as it transitions to a “selective” blockade of the strategic waterway, according to Lloyd’s List. The maritime news and analysis service reported this week that several countries including India, Pakistan, Iraq, Malaysia, and China are in direct talks with Tehran to transit through its territorial waters in the Strait.

Currently, ships are approved on a case-by-case basis, but the new system will require comprehensive details about vessel ownership and cargo destinations to be submitted to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) prior to transit. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently stated that while the Strait is “open,” it remains “closed to our enemies,” indicating a shift from earlier IRGC threats of burning ships attempting to cross the waterway. Traffic through the Strait has plunged 95 percent since the United States and Israel launched a war on Iran three weeks ago, significantly impacting global energy markets.

Despite the blockade, a small number of ships, primarily flagged to Pakistan, India, or China, have managed to navigate the Strait. Reports indicate that some vessels have turned off their automatic identification systems or declared their Chinese credentials to Iranian authorities to mitigate risks. A new “safe” corridor running through Iran’s territorial waters has emerged in recent days, with at least nine ships reported to have successfully transited.

Experts suggest that the new registration system may provide a temporary solution for some countries, though it poses potential long-term economic challenges. Alex Mills, an expert in international trade and maritime law, expressed skepticism about the viability of the new system due to safety, insurance, and existing sanctions. He emphasized that without confidence in the economic benefits and safety of this route, shipping companies may remain hesitant to operate in these waters.