Iran's Strait Authority Announces New 'Non-Compliant Vessels' List Amid Ongoing Iran War Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has announced a new list targeting ships accused of violating Iranian regulations governing transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The list includes dozens of vessels registered across 17 flag states, with nearly half flying the Liberian flag. Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has announced a new 'Non-Compliant Vessels' list that targets ships accused of violating Iranian regulations governing transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The list includes dozens of vessels registered across 17 flag states, with nearly half flying the Liberian flag. Vessels placed on the list could face future transit restrictions, including fines, detention, seizure or confiscation. The PGSA's move is part of Iran's efforts to exert greater control over maritime traffic through the waterway amid the ongoing Iran war.Since mid-March, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been running a 'tollbooth' under which foreign-flagged vessels undergo a strict vetting process before being allowed to transit through Iranian waters after paying a fee. Iran has insisted it intends to collect maritime service fees, not tolls, to offset the cost of services provided, including navigational assistance, vessel insurance, and environmental protection measures jointly administered by Iran and Oman.The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy chokepoint, connecting the Persian Gulf to international shipping routes. A significant share of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports passes through the narrow passage, making any new restrictions on maritime traffic closely watched by governments, shipping companies and energy markets. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump said that when the U.S. 'finishes defeating Iran,' he would 'pretty soon' declare the strait 'a territory of the United States.' He asserted that Washington effectively controls the international waterway through its naval blockade of Iranian ports, a notion Iran pushed back on as 'delusion. ' Newsweek has reached out to the White House for comment via email on Sunday evening. The PGSA's move could complicate shipping operations for vessel owners and cargo companies that rely on the route.The authority said vessels found violating its protocols may be barred from future transit or subjected to penalties, while ships that conduct ship-to-ship transfers or transshipment activities with blacklisted vessels could themselves be added to the list. According to the PGSA's statement, cargo owners moving goods to or from the Persian Gulf are being advised to review the list before chartering ships in order to avoid potential complications during transit.The authority said vessels already identified as non-compliant face restrictions on future passage through the Strait of Hormuz. It further warned that any vessel engaging in ship-to-ship transfers, transshipment operations or other commercial interactions with blacklisted ships will also be added to the list. PGSA said vessel operators seeking to have their names removed must submit a request and explanation to the authority for review.The list is published on the agency's website and will be updated as additional vessels are designated, according to the statement. The concentration in open-registry countries such as Liberia and the Marshall Islands highlights the complex web of international registration behind vessels targeted by Iranian authorities. Shipping companies, charterers and cargo owners are likely to scrutinize the new list and assess whether vessels they use could be impacted by the restrictions.Maritime industry observers will also be watching for any enforcement actions by Iranian authorities against ships designated as non-compliant. The development adds a new layer of uncertainty to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, where maritime traffic has already been affected by geopolitical tensions and heightened security concerns throughout 2026. It is unclear how this may impact the price of goods, which has already gone up since the war began in February