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Iran Establishes PGSA, Claims 22,000 sq km Control Zone in Strait of Hormuz Under 1958 Geneva Convention

Intl. RelationsSecurity & DefenceHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
23 May 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:22,000 sq km17.8 nautical milesOne-fifth of world's energy
Bodies:Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA)Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)US Foreign Office of Assets Control (OFAC)
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What This Article Covers

1.Iran creates Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to formally manage and tax ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, claiming control over 22,000 sq km of sea, including parts of Omani and UAE territorial waters.

2.The move is based on the 1958 Geneva Convention's 'innocent passage' regime, as Iran is not a party to UNCLOS 1982, which guarantees unimpeded 'transit passage' for international straits like Hormuz.

3.This creates a major global trade dilemma, especially for India, as the US has warned of sanctions for paying Iran, forcing nations to choose between securing energy shipments or facing US financial penalties.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

Iran has formally established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to regulate and tax vessel traffic in a claimed 22,000 sq km control zone in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint. This move, based on the 1958 Geneva Convention, challenges the UNCLOS 'transit passage' regime and creates a geopolitical dilemma for energy-dependent nations like India, who face potential US sanctions for compliance.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Control Zone Area22,000 sq km
Strait Width (Narrowest)17.8 nautical miles (33 km)
Peacetime Energy FlowOne-fifth of world's energy
Legal Convention Cited by Iran1958 Geneva Convention

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Control Zone Area: 22,000 sq km
  • ›Strait Width (Narrowest): 17.8 nautical miles (33 km)
  • ›Target this Data: 22,000 sq km (claimed PGSA control zone)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: 'Innocent Passage' under 1958 Geneva Convention vs 'Transit Passage' under UNCLOS 1982

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageMedium

Which international convention's framework is Iran primarily relying on to justify its new transit regime in the Strait of Hormuz?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding Iran's new transit regime for the Strait of Hormuz:

1. The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) claims oversight over an area of more than 22,000 sq km.

2. The Strait of Hormuz is classified under UNCLOS as a 'strait used for international navigation', granting ships the right of 'transit passage'.

3. Iran has both signed and ratified the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what is the approximate width of the Strait of Hormuz at its narrowest point?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary dilemma created for countries like India by Iran's establishment of the PGSA and the subsequent US warning?

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