Iran Considers Restricting U.S. and Israeli-Linked Ships in Strait of Hormuz
Iran is considering legislation to restrict U.S.- and Israeli-linked vessels from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran and Oman accelerate talks on a new maritime management mechanism. The developments are raising concerns over freedom of navigation, global shipping and energy markets as Iran continues to link the full reopening of the strategic waterway to sanctions relief and other demands from Washington.
Iran Eyes Restrictions on U.S. and Israeli-Linked Vessels
Tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have intensified following a proposed bill submitted to Iran’s parliament that would restrict vessels from the United States, Israel and other countries considered hostile by Tehran from using the Strait and the wider Persian Gulf.
The proposed legislation would also target vessels carrying military cargo or civilian goods linked to Israel, as well as ships or entities accused of causing damage to Iran. Under the proposal, such vessels could be barred from the waterway until compensation obligations are fulfilled.
Violations could result in fines of up to 20% of the value of the cargo on board.
The legislation remains under review and has not yet taken effect. If approved, however, it could add another layer of uncertainty to international shipping and increase compliance risks for shipowners, operators and cargo interests.
Iran and Oman Accelerate Talks on Maritime Management
The proposed restrictions come as Iran and Oman work to establish a new mechanism for managing commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian media reported that the two countries are discussing a centralized maritime management framework. Under the proposed system, Iran would inspect vessels entering the Persian Gulf, while vessels leaving the Gulf would be subject to joint management by Iran and Oman.
As an initial step, two temporary shipping lanes could be opened—one in the northern part and another in the southern part of the Strait—before being replaced by the proposed management system.
Iran has also proposed charging fees for certain maritime services, including insurance, refueling, environmental protection and maritime security. Tehran has denied reports that it intends to impose transit fees calculated as a percentage of cargo value.
U.S. Rejects Mandatory Fees and Prior Approval
The United States has rejected the idea of compulsory charges or requiring vessels to obtain approval from Iran before transiting the Strait of Hormuz, describing such measures as unacceptable.
The issue has also drawn concern from the international shipping industry. Eight major maritime associations have jointly written to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, warning about the potential consequences of establishing such a precedent.
The associations argue that allowing restrictions or mandatory charges on international shipping routes could encourage similar measures in other regions, making it more difficult for the industry to oppose such practices in the future.
Identifying U.S. and Israeli Links Could Prove Difficult
One of the biggest challenges would be determining which vessels are actually linked to the United States or Israel.
A ban limited to U.S.- or Israeli-flagged ships may have a relatively limited direct impact because relatively few commercial vessels operate under those flags. The more complicated issue is identifying indirect links.
The global shipping industry typically involves multiple layers of ownership and management. A vessel may have an owner, operator, management company and charterer based in different countries.
Restrictions based on ownership, financing or commercial relationships could therefore make vessel screening more complicated, potentially increasing inspection times, compliance costs and delays in cargo movements.
Iran Links Full Reopening of Hormuz to Sanctions Relief
Tehran has continued to link the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to broader political and economic issues with Washington.
Iran has called for the lifting or easing of U.S. sanctions and maritime restrictions, while also seeking action over issues including frozen Iranian assets, military operations and compensation for damages that Tehran attributes to previous attacks.
This means the future of shipping through Hormuz is no longer solely a maritime security issue. It has become closely tied to U.S.-Iran relations, sanctions policy and Iran’s energy exports.
The dispute could also create additional political pressure on President Donald Trump ahead of the U.S. midterm elections on November 3, as prolonged disruption around the Strait could affect energy prices, shipping costs and broader economic conditions.
Eight Sanctioned Iranian Oil Tankers Gather Off Malaysia
Meanwhile, efforts to restrict Iranian oil exports continue to face challenges.
Eight oil tankers linked to Iran and subject to U.S. sanctions have reportedly gathered off the coast of Malaysia, carrying a combined 8.56 million barrels of crude oil, according to maritime intelligence firm Windward.
The vessels reportedly appear on the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions list and have links to the Iranian government.
The tankers are clustered off Malaysia’s eastern coast, an area frequently associated with ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned crude before the oil is transported onward to China.
Windward said the vessels originally loaded their cargo at Iran’s Kharg Island. Seven of the eight tankers reportedly switched off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals between late July and early August.
According to the maritime intelligence firm, the combination of multiple sanctioned tankers gathering in the same area and prolonged AIS outages is consistent with preparations for coordinated ship-to-ship oil transfers rather than isolated attempts to evade detection.
“Ghost Armada” Adds to Sanctions Enforcement Challenge
Separately, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) reported that at least 52 tankers on its “Ghost Armada” list were anchored or waiting in the same oil-transfer area off Malaysia, with their AIS signals still active.
The reports highlight the growing complexity of enforcing sanctions on Iranian oil exports, particularly as vessels, ownership structures and transfer networks become increasingly difficult to monitor.
Strait of Hormuz Remains a Key Risk for Global Trade and Energy
The latest developments have once again placed the Strait of Hormuz at the center of global shipping and energy concerns.
On one side, Iran and Oman are working on a new framework to manage maritime traffic and potentially restore commercial shipping. On the other, Tehran is considering restrictions on U.S.- and Israeli-linked vessels while continuing to tie the full reopening of the waterway to sanctions relief and broader political demands.
If the proposed measures move forward, they could affect freedom of navigation, vessel inspections, shipping costs, insurance premiums, cargo movements and global oil markets.
With tensions between Iran and the United States unresolved, the Strait of Hormuz is likely to remain a critical pressure point for international trade and global energy security.
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