Iran Establishes Persian Gulf Strait Authority to Control Hormuz Transit
Tehran officially announced the creation of the 'Persian Gulf Strait Authority' on May 21, 2026, to manage maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The new body has declared a controlled maritime zone with specific geographic coordinates, requiring prior authorization for commercial vessels. The move transforms periodic threats into a permanent institutional claim over the waterway. This escalation follows the stalling of nuclear negotiations and comes as the U.S. and Israel recently concluded major air campaigns against Iran.