16.05.2026 19:30
The head of Iran's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Ebrahim Azizi, announced that a new transit mechanism has been prepared to manage ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, while state television claimed that some European countries have requested permission for their commercial vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and are conducting negotiations to that end.
As tensions continue in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical transit points in global energy trade, Iran has taken a noteworthy step.
NEW TRANSIT MECHANISM FOR THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ Ebrahim Azizi, Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, announced that a new transit mechanism has been prepared to manage ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and will be unveiled soon. Azizi stated that only commercial vessels and parties cooperating with Iran will benefit from this arrangement. He also mentioned that fees will be charged for the special services offered under the mechanism.
Ebrahim Azizi “EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAVE BEGUN NEGOTIATIONS TO OBTAIN TRANSIT PERMITS” Iran's state television announced that European countries are conducting talks with Tehran regarding the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. In the state television report, it was stated, "After the passage of ships belonging to East Asian countries, especially China, Japan, and Pakistan, we have received information that European countries have also begun negotiations with the Revolutionary Guard navy to obtain transit permits." The report did not specify which countries were mentioned.
IRAN'S CLOSURE OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ AND THE US NAVAL BLOCKADE Following the war that began with the joint US-Israel attacks on February 28, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic transit point for global energy, to passages. This decision led to an increase of up to 65% in oil prices compared to pre-war levels.
After the ceasefire agreement reached between the US and Iran on April 8, negotiations mediated by Pakistan failed to yield results. Subsequently, US President Donald Trump decided on April 13 to impose a naval blockade on Iran and began intercepting Iran-linked vessels entering and exiting the Strait of Hormuz.
On April 17, following a ceasefire in Lebanon, Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be open to commercial vessel traffic during the ceasefire period, provided they coordinate with the Iranian navy. However, after the US declared it would continue its naval blockade, Iran announced it would reimpose restrictions on passages through the strait.
During this process, the US attacked and seized several Iranian commercial vessels in the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean. In response, Iran intervened and confiscated some vessels, including those linked to Israel, near the Strait of Hormuz.