Iran has established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority to manage tolls and approve transits for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This move comes as Tehran officials evaluate a proposal from the U.S. administration aimed at ending ongoing hostilities.
New Authority Oversees Key Waterway
The agency will collect fees from vessels navigating the vital shipping route. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy has intensified enforcement in the strait since the U.S. and Israel initiated military action on February 28. Throughout the past two months, Iranian forces have issued threats to ships from non-allied nations and deployed mines in the area.
U.S. Proposal for Conflict Resolution
The Trump administration recently presented a memorandum outlining steps to de-escalate the conflict. Under the plan, Iran would agree to pause nuclear enrichment activities. In return, the U.S. would ease sanctions on Tehran and unlock billions in frozen Iranian assets. Both sides would also remove barriers to strait navigation, following the U.S. Navy’s blockade of Iranian ports that began on April 13.
Iranian and Pakistani Diplomatic Responses
Esmaeiul Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that officials are actively reviewing the proposal.
Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi expressed optimism, stating, “we remain positive, we remain optimistic and we hope that a settlement will be sooner rather than later.”
Pakistan continues to play a mediating role, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir facilitating talks between the parties. On Thursday, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a phone discussion with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. The conversation covered recent regional events and diplomatic initiatives to foster peace and stability, according to the Pakistani Foreign Ministry.
