Iran issues Strait of Hormuz vessel blacklist, warns of seizures
Iran‘s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) announced a new “Non-Compliant Vessels” list Sunday that it says will target ships accused of violating Iranian regulations that govern transit through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping lanes.
In a statement posted Sunday on its official X account, the authority warned that vessels placed on the list could face future transit restrictions, including fines, detention, seizure or confiscation. The announcement marks another escalation in Iran’s efforts to exert greater control over maritime traffic through the waterway amid the Iran war.
Since mid-March, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been running a “tollbooth” under which foreign-flagged vessels undergo a strict vetting process before being allowed to transit through Iranian waters after paying a fee.
Iran has insisted it intends to collect maritime service fees, not tolls.
The charges would offset the cost of services provided, including navigational assistance, vessel insurance, and environmental protection measures jointly administered by Iran and Oman, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told the semiofficial Tasnim news agency earlier this year.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy chokepoint, connecting the Persian Gulf to international shipping routes. A significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports passes through the narrow passage, making any new restrictions on maritime traffic closely watched by governments, shipping companies and energy markets.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump said that when the U.S. “finishes defeating Iran,” he would “pretty soon” declare the strait “a territory of the United States.” He asserted that Washington effectively controls the international waterway through its naval blockade of Iranian ports, a notion Iran pushed back on as “delusion.”
Newsweek has reached out to the White House for comment via email on Sunday evening.
The PGSA’s move could complicate shipping operations for vessel owners and cargo companies that rely on the route.
The authority said vessels found violating its protocols may be barred from future transit or subjected to penalties, while ships that conduct ship-to-ship transfers or transshipment activities with blacklisted vessels could themselves be added to the list.
Cargo ships are seen at sea in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, from a rocky shoreline near Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, on May 1. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair, File)
How the List Works
According to the PGSA’s statement, cargo owners moving goods to or from the Persian Gulf are being advised to review the list before chartering ships in order to avoid potential complications during transit.
The authority said vessels already identified as non-compliant face restrictions on future passage through the Strait of Hormuz. It further warned that any vessel engaging in ship-to-ship transfers, transshipment operations or other commercial interactions with blacklisted ships will also be added to the list.
PGSA said vessel operators seeking to have their names removed must submit a request and explanation to the authority for review. The list is published on the agency’s website and will be updated as additional vessels are designated, according to the statement.
Who Is on the List?
The PGSA’s Non-Compliant Vessels List currently includes dozens of vessels that Iranian authorities say have violated regulations governing transit through the strait.
The 46 vessels on Iran’s non-compliant list are registered across 17 flag states, with nearly half—21 vessels—flying the Liberian flag and another seven registered in the Marshall Islands.
The list also includes vessels flagged to India, Saudi Arabia, Malta, Antigua and Barbuda, Panama, Singapore, Cyprus, Bermuda, Mali, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Kuwait, Oman, Barbados and Togo.
The concentration in open-registry countries such as Liberia and the Marshall Islands highlights the complex web of international registration behind vessels targeted by Iranian authorities.
Tankers and cargo vessels are seen in the Gulf of Oman, along shipping routes linking the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Sea on June 16. (AP Photo)
What Happens Next
Shipping companies, charterers and cargo owners are likely to scrutinize the new list and assess whether vessels they use could be impacted by the restrictions. Maritime industry observers will also be watching for any enforcement actions by Iranian authorities against ships designated as non-compliant.
The development adds a new layer of uncertainty to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, where maritime traffic has already been affected by geopolitical tensions and heightened security concerns throughout 2026.
It is unclear how this may impact the price of goods, which has already gone up since the war began in February.
Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Steve Mollman and Anthony Murray.
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