Tehran has begun permitting a restricted number of civilian vessels to pass through its territorial waters in the Strait of Hormuz. According to experts and shipping industry representatives, this maneuver is designed to demonstrate Iran's total control over the strategically critical maritime artery during the current conflict.
Data from the MarineTraffic system over the past week recorded at least eight vessels, including tankers and bulk carriers from India, Pakistan, and Greece, following an unusual route near Larak Island. Most of these ships had previously called at Iranian ports. According to Lloyd's List Intelligence, one operator reportedly paid the Iranian side $2 million to guarantee safe passage.
Iran is prioritizing its trading partners and countries with which it maintains close diplomatic ties. Authorities are attempting to avoid isolation and increase pressure on the Trump administration by restricting global energy supplies. Former Vice President Mohammad Mokhber stated that once the war concludes, Tehran intends to implement a "new regime" for managing the strait to solidify its status as a regional power.
Currently, a group of nine Chinese tankers from the Cosco company is forming north of Abu Dhabi in the Persian Gulf, preparing for transit. China remains a key purchaser of Iranian oil despite U.S. sanctions, making its vessels a priority for passage.
Military actions in the region have effectively paralyzed shipping, with traffic through the strait plunging by 96%—from 100-135 vessels per day to only isolated cases. Approximately 3,200 ships remain trapped inside the Gulf. Since the beginning of the conflict, at least 22 vessels have sustained damage. A recent attack on Qatar's Ras Laffan gas complex this week triggered a sharp 30% spike in European gas prices and pushed oil prices to $119 per barrel.
Specialists compare Tehran's current tactics to those used by the Houthis in the Red Sea. It is anticipated that Iran may officially introduce a system of preliminary transit applications via email. Tom Sharpe, a former British naval officer, notes that forcing ships to sail closer to the coast allows the Iranian military to visually identify targets, as most of their radar systems have been disabled by U.S. strikes.