Iran asserts jurisdiction over UAE and Oman waters in new Strait of Hormuz map

Iran has published a map claiming regulatory control over a stretch of the Strait of Hormuz that extends deep into the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates and Oman, prompting five Gulf states to formally warn shipping companies through the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) not to comply.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority defined its claimed management zone as running from Kuh-e Mobarak in Iran to the south of Fujairah in the UAE at the strait's eastern entrance, and from the end of Qeshm Island in Iran to Umm al-Quwain in the UAE at its western entrance.

The zone covers waters that the UAE and Oman regard as their own sovereign territory. All vessels transiting the defined area are required to obtain prior authorisation from the PGSA.

Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE sent a joint letter to the IMO this week, warning commercial and merchant vessels not to engage with the PGSA or transit the waterway using Iran's designated route. The letter was distributed by the IMO.

Earlier in May, Iran had established an email-based application process for vessels seeking to transit the strait through the PGSA. The authority was said to have become operational on Monday.

The crucial waterway has been largely blocked since the outbreak of the Iran war on 28 February, first by Tehran, and then by a US blockade of Iranian ports and ships declared by President Donald Trump.

So far, the only operators paying PGSA tolls are predominantly Chinese-linked shadow fleet vessels. No Western-flagged operator has publicly acknowledged making a payment, partly because doing so could expose companies to US sanctions.