Iran reportedly requests that ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz provide crew and cargo details.

Ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian protection are required to provide crew and cargo lists, as well as voyage details and bills of lading, in order to obtain permission from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

According to sources familiar with the matter, this process remains somewhat special and may vary from ship to ship, but it indicates that as the conflict in the Persian Gulf continues into its fourth week, Iran is intensifying efforts to control this vital maritime route through a semi-official system.

Sources say Iran has demanded payments from some, but not all, ships. They indicate that such requests, often conveyed through intermediaries and involving varying amounts, are usually targeted at oil tankers, liquefied gas ships, or other vessels carrying high-value cargo.

Since the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes nearly a month ago, only a very few ships have been able to pass through this waterway. Those seemingly protected by Tehran mostly follow similar routes, sailing close to the Iranian coast.

Earlier this week, Iran stated in a communiqué that ships from friendly nations “can continue to navigate in coordination with Iranian authorities.” Although Supreme Leader Khamenei previously said Iran should keep the strait closed, this letter indicates the waterway remains open, and “traffic has not been interrupted.”

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Editor: Liu Mingliang