President Donald Trump has pushed for a toll-free Strait of Hormuz, countering Iran’s claims of a controlled maritime zone with potential tolls. The U.S. has maintained control through blockade measures, while economic sanctions and diplomatic engagement with Gulf allies have intensified pressure on Iran’s nuclear program and regional influence.
Maritime tracking disruptions occurred near the UAE’s main oil hub, causing concern among shipping operations in the Persian Gulf shortly before President Trump announced progress towards a bilateral peace agreement with Iran. The maritime intelligence firm Windward AI identified a collapse in Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmissions near Fujairah, indicating electronic warfare, jamming, or deliberate shutdowns, along with cyber interference near the strategic UAE oil port.
Windward AI reported, “Fujairah goes dark: AIS transmissions collapse after Iran’s PGSA announcement,” noting that despite vessels remaining in the area, they were loaded less, and many went dark.
As Trump revealed a nearly finalized Iran deal and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Fujairah moved a significant amount of crude. On May 24, the port transferred 1.35 million barrels aboard a single tanker destined for South Korea. Windward stated that while one cargo does not signify a full return to baseline, it is a sign of resumed flow from Fujairah since the announcement.
Ahead of the crude transfer, Trump announced that Washington and Tehran had agreed on a memorandum of understanding for a peace agreement, showcasing an AI-generated image of exploding IRGC fast boats in the strait.
Iran responded by asserting control over the Strait of Hormuz. Ibrahim Al-Fiqar, Iran’s official military spokesperson, stated, “We reaffirm that the Strait of Hormuz will remain under full Iranian administration and sovereignty, even in the event of reaching any future agreement.” He emphasized that transit route determination, timing, and maritime license issuance remain sovereign rights of Tehran.
Crude transfer activities and movement towards a U.S.-Iran deal accelerated following Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) launch, overseen by the IRGC Navy. The authority functions by demanding ships submit vessel, cargo, insurance, and crew details, along with mandatory payments for safe passage.
Regional analysts noted that leading up to deal progression, Iran’s territorial claims extended beyond its own waters to areas associated with Oman and the UAE. Alex Vatanka from the Middle East Institute explained that the IRGC Navy’s enforcement relies on an asymmetric playbook, including fast boats, drones, radar tracking, coastal missiles, and selective intimidation rather than constant physical interdiction. He added that Tehran aims for Gulf states and major importers to accept Iranian oversight of Hormuz as a geopolitical reality.
While nuclear issues remain dominant in negotiations amid reports of a 60-day ceasefire, the PGSA has quickly become an economic leverage tool impacting global oil and shipping markets. Vatanka indicated that Hormuz now serves as Iran’s main non-nuclear leverage tool, giving Tehran a mechanism to pressure rivals, favor allies, and normalize IRGC oversight of one of the world’s essential energy routes.
Ships are required to submit cargo and crew data for approval amidst reports of facilitation payments and uncertainty for other states. Vatanka warned that noncompliant ships risk delays, harassment, drone surveillance, IRGC interception, or denial of safe passage, creating sufficient pressure to encourage compliance without shutting down the strait.