Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has issued a stark warning to international maritime traffic, stating that any vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz outside of its officially designated routes will no longer be guaranteed safe passage.
The sudden announcement, delivered via a brief message on X, comes in the immediate wake of an attack on a Singapore-flagged vessel off the coast of Oman earlier today. The PGSA noted that its statement was issued in response to multiple urgent inquiries regarding maritime security in the region, News.Az reports, citing Al Jazeera.
According to the maritime authority, ships choosing to navigate through corridors outside the framework designated by the PGSA will not be covered by safe passage guarantees. Furthermore, the agency warned that these vessels will not be entitled to standard insurance coverage or any related liabilities.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical chokepoints, handling roughly a fifth of global oil consumption. By tying compliance to insurance validity and safety guarantees, the warning places immense pressure on international commercial shipping lines.
The PGSA concluded its message by placing the full legal and physical brunt of any potential fallout on the shipping companies themselves, stating that all consequences arising from passage through unauthorized routes shall be the sole responsibility of the owner, operator, and vessel commander.