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 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.The