Hormuz Strait Tensions 2026: Iran Tightens Control as Select Nations Granted Safe Passage

Kuala Lumpur — The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has grown increasingly tense as regional conflicts escalate, creating a sharp divide between international maritime law and on-the-ground enforcement.

While global regulations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) guarantee free passage for all երկրների, Iran has effectively imposed selective access through its powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Iran Grants Safe Passage to “Friendly Nations”

In a move that underscores shifting geopolitical alliances, Iran has publicly allowed vessels from several strategic partners to transit the strait with relative security. These include:

• Russia
• China
• India
• Pakistan
• Iraq

These nations are viewed by Tehran as “non-hostile” and maintain ongoing economic or political ties with Iran.

Bilateral Deals Secure Access for Key Economies

Beyond its core allies, Iran has also engaged in direct diplomatic coordination with several countries to ensure continued maritime trade:

• Malaysia — Confirmed safe passage for oil tankers following talks led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
• Thailand — Reportedly secured tanker access via bilateral channels
• Bangladesh — Considered neutral and largely unaffected by restrictions
• Indonesia — Received a positive response from Tehran regarding safe shipping lanes

Meanwhile, Japan remains in ongoing negotiations, while vessels from European Union member states continue to transit cautiously amid rising uncertainty.

High-Risk and Restricted Nation

Iran has drawn a hard line against countries it considers adversarial, effectively closing access to:

• United States
• Israel
• United Kingdom and close military allies

Ships linked to these nations face heightened risks, including warnings, interception, or denial of safe passage.

Shipping Industry Under Pressure

The growing tension has had immediate consequences for global shipping:

• Security Risks: Increased IRGC patrols and radio warnings have created a high-risk navigation environment
• Insurance Surge: War-risk insurance premiums have reportedly surged by 4–6 times normal levels
• Controversial Transit Fees: Iran is accused of imposing unofficial transit charges — a move strongly opposed by Gulf states