• Iran's Fars News Agency, citing a military source, says only a certain number of vessels per day are allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz, with the amount varying daily according to conditions.
  • The restrictions are framed as a response to US policies, intensifying a critical chokepoint for global oil and LNG shipments.
  • Ship owners, insurers, and energy buyers face heightened risks and costs as transit uncertainty disrupts supply chains.

Iran has tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, with Fars News Agency reporting that military authorities now limit daily vessel passages to a specific, fluctuating number based on prevailing conditions. The announcement underscores Tehran's ongoing control over the strategic waterway, through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes.

"The number of vessels allowed to transit will change daily according to the situation," a military source told Fars, without specifying the exact figures. The measure is part of Iran's response to what it calls a "naval blockade" and "piracy" by the US and its allies, according to the report.

The implications for global energy markets are immediate. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint, and sustained restrictions can disrupt supply, increase shipping costs, and fuel volatility in crude and product prices. Recent data already shows a sharp decline in daily vessel movements due to security concerns, according to people familiar with the matter. Insurers are expected to raise premiums for tankers crossing the strait, adding to the cost burden.

Ship owners and energy buyers are scrambling to assess alternative routing, though options like the Suez Canal face their own capacity constraints. "Every day of uncertainty compounds the risk for traders and operators," said a shipping executive who spoke on condition of anonymity. "We're already seeing delays and rerouting discussions."

Iran asserts that passage will remain restricted until US policies change, framing the measures as defensive. The move comes amid heightened US-Iran tensions, with no immediate sign of diplomatic breakthroughs. The US Navy's Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In the short term, traders expect continued volatility in oil benchmarks as the market prices in potential disruptions. Longer-term, sustained restrictions could lead to a realignment of shipping routes and renewed international discussions on maritime security. For now, the daily cap on vessels at Hormuz remains a wild card for global energy flows.