Conflicting U.S.-Iran Directives Trap Shipowners in Hormuz Dilemma
Taylor Wilson
The US and Iran have each drawn a transit lane through the Strait of Hormuz with its own rules — shipowners who follow one side automatically risk violating the other, leaving the chokepoint that carries roughly one-fifth of global oil trapped between two incompatible regimes.
What exactly are the two conflicting orders?
Iran's new Persian Gulf Strait Authority, set up in May, requires ships to apply for a permit and sail along the Iranian coast.
The US has established a "Guardian Angel" escort lane on the Omani side, guiding vessels under air cover.
This means → the two lanes sit on opposite sides of the strait. Picking one automatically breaks the other's rules — there is no middle path that satisfies both.
What risks do shipowners actually face?
Safesea Shipping chairman SV Anchan told the *Financial Times*: sail the Omani side and face Iranian interference, seizure, or hostile action; sail the Iranian side and risk triggering US sanctions and violating insurer guidance.
In plain terms = go left and Iran may board your ship; go right and the US may sanction you — every choice carries a legal or physical price.
A cargo-insurance broker put it bluntly: the two systems are completely disconnected, and "something will eventually go wrong."
Transit volumes are rebounding — is the situation improving?
Over 30 vessels transited Hormuz in the 24 hours to Monday — the highest single-day count since the Feb 28 conflict began.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) said Iranian Revolutionary Guard activity at sea has become "less aggressive," and downgraded the strait's risk level from "critical" to "moderate."
This means → short-term traffic is recovering, but that rests on US naval presence as a stabiliser — not on the two directive systems becoming compatible.
Why is the permit application itself a trap?
Iran requires ships to apply to the Persian Gulf Strait Authority — but that body is already under US sanctions.
This means → the very act of filing an application under Iranian rules could constitute a transaction with a sanctioned entity under US law.
DryDel Shipping CEO Costas Delaportas said the gap between recommended routes and competing directives has created clear uncertainty, pushing some vessels to wait on the sidelines.
Who do insurers and shipowners ultimately listen to?
Two insurance brokers said their firms have not recommended a specific lane — "it is ultimately the shipowner's call, because they are the ones operating on the front line."
In plain terms = insurers have passed the ball back to shipowners, and shipowners dare not commit to either side — the risk hasn't disappeared; no one is willing to carry it for anyone else.
Until US-Iran peace-framework talks produce a binding agreement, this chokepoint — carrying roughly one-fifth of global seaborne oil — will remain stuck in a compliance deadlock.
Content is for reference only, not financial advice.