{"id":168157,"date":"2026-06-19T16:46:22","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T16:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/168157\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T16:46:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T16:46:22","slug":"irans-new-toll-by-insurance-raises-stakes-in-strait-of-hormuz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/168157\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran\u2019s New \u2018Toll by Insurance\u2019 Raises Stakes in Strait of Hormuz"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Lori Ann LaRocco \u2013 The already volatile security picture in the Strait of Hormuz has taken a sharp turn for the worse as Iran moves to assert de facto control over commercial traffic through a new compulsory insurance scheme \u2014 and backs it with the threat of force.<\/p>\n

INTERTANKO, the organization representing independent tanker owner-operators, told gCaptain that Iranian authorities have issued a multi-page directive requiring ships to purchase Iranian-approved insurance to transit the Strait.<\/p>\n

There have also been reports of Iranian aggression.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have received a report that warning shots were fired at vessels,\u201d said Tim Wilkins, managing director of INTERTANKO. \u201cThis is not freedom of navigation. It is chaos.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wilkins said that at 12:29 p.m. UK time on Friday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps broadcast the following message on Marine Channel 16:<\/p>\n

\u201cSince Israel\u2019s withdrawal from Lebanon, the complete lifting of the naval blockade, and the departure of American terrorist forces from the Persian Gulf and the region are among the main conditions of the agreement between Iran and the United States. The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until these two conditions are met. All vessels have been instructed not to approach the Strait of Hormuz for their own safety and security. Any vessel that violates this order will be targeted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIRGC boats reportedly opened fire, firing warning shots in the Strait of Hormuz,\u201d Wilkins added.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is toll aggression,\u201d said Wilkins.<\/p>\n

gCaptain has seen a copy of the document, issued by Iran\u2019s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), which details a new gatekeeping mechanism for ships. The directive requires vessels to purchase insurance through a PGSA-linked policy in order to pass through the Strait.<\/p>\n

?? PGSA (Persian Gulf Strait Authority)
Published “Terms & Conditions for Vessel Passage through Strait of Hormuz”<\/p>\n

“No vessel is permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without a valid passage permit issued by the PGSA.” <\/p>\n

(This contravenes UNCLOS Article 44:
Duties of\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/hMLX8jhkTa<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Charlie B (@supbrow) June 19, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

According to Article 5 of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by U.S. President Donald Trump and the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iran would arrange for the safe passage of commercial vessels, and no tolls would be charged during the first 60 days.<\/p>\n

Both Trump and Iranian officials said commercial vessel traffic would immediately resume.<\/p>\n

The agreement also states that Iran would conduct dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz, with other Persian Gulf states participating. Any resulting arrangements were to be consistent with international law and the sovereign rights of the Strait\u2019s coastal states.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaying insurance is a toll,\u201d Wilkins stressed.<\/p>\n

All vessels must carry war risk and P&I (Protection and Indemnity) insurance in order to operate in the region.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know what this new \u2018insurance\u2019 actually is \u2014 or who, in practice, we\u2019re paying,\u201d Wilkins said.<\/p>\n

The document states, under the heading \u201cOfficial Authority and Contact,\u201d that the PGSA is the \u201csole authority\u201d and the only official body responsible for processing applications, issuing permits, and handling all related inquiries.<\/p>\n

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