Five Gulf states have formally warned shipping companies through the IMO not to comply, as analysts say Iran is deliberately expanding its claimed zone beyond even its own initial boundaries in a step-by-step assertion of territorial control.

Iran's newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority said in a post on X on Wednesday there will be a "controlled maritime zone" at the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority has announced the creation of a controlled maritime zone in the Strait of Hormuz requiring vessels to obtain authorisation before passing…