Persian Gulf Strait Authority
نهاد مدیریت آبراه خلیج فارس | |
| Abbreviation | PGSA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 5 May 2026 |
| Type | Government agency |
| Purpose | Managing the Strait of Hormuz |
| Headquarters | Tehran, Iran |
Parent organization | Government of Iran |
| Website | pgsa.ir |
The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA)[a] is an Iranian government agency responsible for the authorisation and regulation of maritime transit after contacting the authority.[1] It was founded on 5 May 2026 during the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis.[2]
Background
[edit]In March 2026, Iran declared that vessels would be required to pay for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, in order to avoid sea mines that had previously been planted or to avoid confrontations with Iranian military vessels. Though this had been the standard operating procedure for Iran for many years, Iran has claimed that the March announcement was swiftly exploited by scam operators offering fraudulent transit documents in exchange for cryptocurrency payments. To address this issue and bring clarity to maritime traffic procedures, Iran established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) with an official email contact. Under this system, shipowners receive verifiable guidance and can apply for transit permits directly through the PGSA's formal process, creating a centralized and transparent mechanism for coordinating transit through the strait with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. By charging tolls for transiting the international waterway, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps guarantees ships will not be openly attacked.[3]
Reception and legal status
[edit]On 1 May 2026, the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued an advisory warning that payments to Iran for passage through the strait exposed both US and non-US persons to sanctions risk. The advisory specified that the risk applied regardless of payment method, including cash, digital assets, in-kind transfers, and charitable donations to Iranian-linked entities such as the Iranian Red Crescent Society.[4][5][6] Non-US firms facilitating such payments were warned of potential secondary sanctions, including restrictions on access to the US financial system.[7]
Industry analysts noted that compliance with the PGSA permit process, where it involved transit payments, could itself trigger sanctions exposure for shipping companies. Richard Meade of Lloyd's Intelligence told CNN that the new system appeared designed to "formalize" Iranian authority over transits through the strait.[8]
China has legislated and issued listings for a counter-sanctions regime that may impact the U.S. sanctions.[9]
See also
[edit]- Panama Canal Authority
- Suez Canal Authority
- Islamic Republic of Iran Navy
- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy
- Kingdom of Hormuz
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Iran Says It Has Launched New Mechanism to Regulate Strait of Hormuz Traffic". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
- ^ Wintour, Patrick; editor, Patrick Wintour Diplomatic (15 May 2026). "Oman caught between US and Iran after Tehran's claims of joint strait of Hormuz plan" – via The Guardian.
{{cite web}}:|last2=has generic name (help) - ^ "Iran Launches "Persian Gulf Strait Authority" to Administer Hormuz Tolls". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
- ^ "US warns shippers that paying Iran to traverse Hormuz may incur sanctions". The Times of Israel. Reuters. 2 May 2026. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ^ "US Warns Shippers on Sanctions Risk for Paying Iran Strait of Hormuz Tolls". Bloomberg. 1 May 2026. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ^ "US warns shipping firms they could face sanctions over paying Iranian tolls in the Strait of Hormuz". The Washington Post. Associated Press. 2 May 2026. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ^ "Ships Paying Iranian Tolls for Hormuz Passage Risk US Sanctions". Ship & Bunker. 4 May 2026. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ^ Giokos, Eleni; Lister, Tim (7 May 2026). "Iran imposes new rules for Hormuz in effort to cement control of key waterway". CNN. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ^ Utterback, Meg (15 May 2026). "CHINA ISSUES ITS FIRST BLOCKING ORDER AGAINST US SANCTIONS". King&Wood. King and Wood Lawyers. Retrieved 22 May 2026.