Iran has escalated its control over the Strait of Hormuz by announcing formal terms and conditions for transit, effectively turning the critical maritime chokepoint into a tool of strategic leverage.
The Islamic Republic’s decision to publish these restrictions through the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) marks a significant hardening of its posture, moving beyond sporadic disruptions to a structured attempt to regulate global oil exports.
This development follows confirmation from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Iran has deployed mines in "large segments" of the strait.
While the United States has not verified the exact number of mines laid, a White House official previously confirmed to CNBC that more than 40 Iranian minelaying vessels had been destroyed.
The combination of physical minefields and administrative transit barriers creates a dual-layer threat to shipping security.
The market implications are immediate and severe.