Iran has announced a new permit system for ships passing through the Hormuz Strait.
Medianews.az reports that according to the new rules, ships must obtain permission via email from Iranian authorities before entering the strait.
This step was taken after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the temporary suspension of the "Freedom Act." Washington stated that under this project, it supported the passage of neutral country ships remaining in the strait.
Tehran presents the new system as a "sovereign governance model." According to analysts, this decision aims to strengthen Iran’s control over Hormuz and to demonstrate this to the international community.
The Hormuz Strait, through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas shipments pass, indicates with recent steps that tensions in the region are rising again. The new rules have also caused concern in energy markets.
There remain risks of possible military intervention in the region and a U.S.-Iran confrontation. Observers warn that new tensions in Hormuz could seriously affect global energy markets and international trade.
Medianews.az