Iran Considers Banning US- and Israel-Linked Vessels from Transiting the Strait of Hormuz

Maritime tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are entering a new phase as Tehran considers restrictions on certain vessels with links to the United States and Israel. The move could further complicate efforts to restore commercial shipping through one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.

A bill submitted to Iran’s parliament proposes banning vessels belonging to the United States, Israel and countries considered hostile by Tehran from using the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Persian Gulf region.

The bill also proposes blocking vessels carrying military or civilian cargo linked to Israel. In addition, countries or individuals accused of causing damage to Iran could be barred from transiting the waterway until their compensation obligations have been fulfilled. Violations could result in fines of up to 20% of the value of the cargo carried on board.

These proposals add another layer of complexity to negotiations between Iran and Oman over the restoration of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Iranian media reports, the two countries are seeking to establish a centralized maritime management mechanism.

Under the proposed framework, Iran would monitor vessels entering the Persian Gulf, while vessel movements departing the region would be jointly managed by Iran and Oman.

During the initial phase, two temporary shipping lanes north and south of the Strait of Hormuz would remain in operation before gradually being replaced by the new mechanism.

Iran has also proposed charging fees for certain services provided to vessels, including insurance, bunkering, environmental protection and maritime security. However, Tehran has rejected reports that it is seeking to impose a transit fee calculated as a percentage of the value of cargo.

Washington has made clear that mandatory payments or requirements for vessels to obtain Iranian approval before transiting would be unacceptable.

Eight major international shipping associations have also raised concerns over the issue. This week, the organizations jointly sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez.

“Once such a precedent is established, it becomes increasingly difficult to resist similar measures elsewhere.”
The associations warned that establishing such a precedent could make it increasingly difficult for the maritime industry to challenge similar measures elsewhere.

Defining What Constitutes a Vessel Linked to the US or Israel

Banning US- and Israeli-flagged vessels may not have a major direct commercial impact, given the relatively limited number of ships registered under the flags of the two countries.

The greater challenge, however, lies in determining what constitutes a vessel linked to the United States or Israel. Ownership, financing and management structures in the shipping industry are often highly complex, with the shipowner, operator, technical manager and charterer potentially based in different countries.

Tehran argues that fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz must be accompanied by the lifting of the US maritime blockade against Iran, while linking the restoration of maritime traffic to an easing of sanctions.

Meanwhile, the conflict with Iran is becoming an increasingly difficult political issue for President Donald Trump, with the US midterm elections scheduled for 3 November.

The development could put additional pressure on Washington as it manages the crisis, while further complicating negotiations over maritime operations through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Oil Exports Continue to Seek Ways Around Sanctions

In a separate development, efforts to control Iran’s crude oil exports continue to face significant challenges.

In Southeast Asia this week, eight Iranian-linked oil tankers subject to sanctions and carrying a combined total of more than 8.5 million barrels of crude oil gathered off the coast of Malaysia. Maritime intelligence specialists believe a series of ship-to-ship (STS) transfers may be being prepared.

Maritime intelligence and analytics company Windward identified the eight tankers as being listed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and linked to the Iranian state. The vessels are currently concentrated in a designated area off Malaysia’s eastern coast, a location frequently used to conduct ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned crude before the cargo is transported onward to China.

The eight tankers are carrying a combined total of approximately 8.56 million barrels of crude oil, loaded at Iran’s Kharg Island. According to Windward, seven of the eight vessels had switched off their AIS signals by late July or early August.

Windward said the concentration of multiple vessels in the same area, combined with prolonged AIS shutdowns, is consistent with a more coordinated STS operation rather than isolated attempts to evade detection.

“Extended, repeated dark periods across all eight vessels point to a coordinated, sanctions-evading transfer network rather than a single opportunistic transit.” Windward said.

Meanwhile, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) said at least 52 oil tankers listed on its Ghost Armada were anchored or waiting for operations in the same offshore Malaysian transfer area, with their AIS signals still active.

The developments show that, alongside ongoing debate over the framework for managing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, enforcing sanctions on Iranian oil exports remains a major challenge for the global shipping industry and energy trade.

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Source: Phaata.com (According to Splash247)

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