Iran Declares "Permanent Change" to Strait of Hormuz Status Amid Ship Attacks

Описание: Iran Declares "Permanent Change" to Strait of Hormuz Status Amid Ship Attacks


A senior Iranian official signaled on Sunday, May 3, 2026, that the strategic Strait of Hormuz will remain under restrictive Iranian oversight indefinitely, even if a permanent ceasefire is reached with the United States.

The statement, delivered by Ali Nikzad, Deputy Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, came during an inspection of port facilities on the strategic Larak Island. His remarks follow reports of fresh maritime skirmishes and a new 12-article draft plan by Tehran to legally regulate navigation in the waterway.

Nikzad made it clear that the pre-war era of open transit through the world’s most vital oil chokepoint has ended. He compared the current move to assert control over the waterway to the historic nationalization of the Iranian oil industry.

"What is certain is that we will not step back from the Strait of Hormuz, and it will not return to its pre-war state," Nikzad stated. "The Strait of Hormuz is not an international waterway; it is Iran's natural right."

The "Strait Management Plan" currently being fast-tracked through the Iranian Parliament includes several restrictive pillars:
Permanent Ban on Israel: Israeli-flagged or owned vessels will be permanently barred from transit.

"Hostile Nation" Tolls: Ships from countries designated as hostile, including the United States, will be denied transit permits unless they pay compensation for war-related damages.

Permit-Based Entry: All other international vessels must obtain direct authorization from Iranian authorities before entering the waterway.

Nikzad’s comments were underscored by immediate reports of instability on the water. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a large cargo ship was attacked by multiple small, fast-moving craft approximately 11 miles off the Iranian coast on Sunday. While no injuries were reported, the incident highlights the volatility that persists despite the standing ceasefire.

The U.S. Navy continues to enforce its own "counter-blockade," and the Department of the Treasury has issued warnings to shipping firms that paying Iranian transit fees—even in digital assets—could result in severe sanctions.

The firm stance from Tehran complicates the ongoing 14-point peace proposal currently under review by President Donald Trump. While the proposal aims for a 30-day window to end hostilities, Nikzad's insistence on a "natural right" to control the Strait suggests that any long-term diplomatic resolution will require a fundamental renegotiation of international maritime law in the Persian Gulf.


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