Iran has informed the United Nations that “non-hostile vessels” may continue to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, but only if they follow Iranian security rules and coordinate with local authorities, according to an official statement from Tehran.

This statement, sent to the UN Security Council, outlines new conditions for accessing one of the world's most vital shipping routes as the Middle East conflict enters its fourth week. It emphasizes that Iran considers access to this critical waterway conditional and under its control.

The statement says, “Non-hostile vessels… may—if they do not engage in or support aggression against Iran and fully comply with the stated safety and security regulations—enjoy safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with Iranian authorities.”

Iran clearly defines “non-hostile” vessels. Ships that are associated with the United States or Israel, or those that are seen as supporting aggression, do not qualify for safe passage. In the same statement, Tehran blamed the United States and Israel for the instability in the waterway.

While Iran insists that the strait “remains open,” it links full maritime security to “the cessation of military aggression” and respect for its “legitimate rights and interests.”

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has already decreased significantly, and vessels making the journey are changing their routes—either staying away from the area or navigating closer to Iran’s coast.

The statement suggests that Iran is becoming the main regulator of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. AIS data reviewed by gCaptain shows a container ship changing its course near the strait's entrance after leaving the UAE. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps later stated that the ship did not have permission to pass, highlighting that access is actively monitored.

Additionally, reports indicate that some vessels are being asked to pay unofficial transit fees of up to $2 million per trip, effectively creating a sort of toll system on this new permission-based framework.

Overall, this policy, along with enforcement actions and the reported tolls, indicates a significant change: the Strait of Hormuz is no longer an open transit route, but rather a controlled passage where movement is increasingly conditional, coordinated, and, in some cases, fee-based.