WANA (Jun 18) – Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) has announced that commercial vessels seeking to transit the Strait of Hormuz must submit their applications through the Persian Gulf Seaway Administration (PGSA). Under the new arrangement, no fees will be charged for passage through the strait for a period of 60 days.

 

According to the statement, the decision was made in line with the implementation of Article 5 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Under this mechanism, all vessels requesting passage through the Strait of Hormuz are required to submit their applications via the PGSA.

 

The SNSC emphasized that throughout the 60-day period stipulated in the MOU, all costs associated with the transit of commercial vessels will be covered by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and no charges will be imposed on applicants.

 

In this regard, the Persian Gulf Seaway Administration has been instructed to review and respond to submitted applications on a priority basis and as swiftly as possible to ensure the effective implementation of the objectives set out in the agreement.

 

Referring to the special conditions affecting maritime routes and the existence of certain safety risks, the council also stated that vessels must adhere to the designated routes and schedules. According to the statement, compliance with these instructions is essential to ensure safe navigation and prevent maritime incidents. It added that traffic volumes may be increased as conditions improve.

 

The statement further noted that the operational details and technical requirements for transiting the Strait of Hormuz will be announced by the Persian Gulf Seaway Administration. The SNSC also said that other related issues, including demining operations, will be pursued in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

 

Article 5 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding states:

 

“Upon the signing of this MOU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge, for 60 days only, from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa. The traffic of commercial vessels will immediately start, and considering the need for removing the technical and military obstacles and demining by the Islamic Republic of Iran will be instated within 30 days. The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz in discussion with other Persian Gulf littoral states in line with applicable international law and the sovereign rights of the coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.”