Iran creates new agency to control shipping in Strait of Hormuz while reviewing peace deal with U.S.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has established a government agency to vet and tax vessels seeking passage through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, a shipping data company reported Thursday. Tehran is also reviewing the latest U.S. proposals for ending the ongoing conflict.

The move by Iran to assert control over the strait has raised concerns about international shipping, as hundreds of commercial ships remain stranded in the Persian Gulf. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that they are considering messages from Pakistan, the mediator in peace negotiations, but have not yet responded to the U.S.

Late in the day, Iranian state media reported an exchange of fire with an unspecified “enemy” on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s strategy to end the conflict has been inconsistent, with threats of military action and attempts at peace agreements.

Iran has closed the strait, a vital route for oil and gas shipments, while the U.S. has been blockading Iranian ports. The new Iranian agency, named the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, now approves transit and collects tolls, sparking concerns about freedom of navigation and global trade.

Top Iranian officials have noted the role of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei in negotiations with the U.S., despite his absence from public view since being injured early in the war. And Saudi Arabia has distanced itself from U.S. efforts to force open the shipping passage through the strait.

The conflict, which began on Feb. 28, continues to impact global trade and fuel prices. Talks between the U.S. and Iran, mediated by Pakistan, have so far failed to reach a resolution. The U.S. and its Gulf allies are seeking U.N. Security Council support to condemn Iran’s control over the strait and impose sanctions.

[Context: The article discusses Iran’s establishment of a new agency to control passage through the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing negotiations to end the conflict with the U.S.] [Fact Check: The article mentions interactions between Iranian and U.S. officials along with international mediators like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the peace negotiations.]