As of late March 2026, amid heightened regional tensions and Iran’s effective control over the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian authorities have indeed implemented a selective maritime passage policy, identifying certain countries as “friendly” and granting their commercial vessels safe transit through the strategically critical waterway.
According to multiple credible international reports—including from sources like Al Jazeera, Reuters, and regional defense analysts—Iran has established a vetting mechanism managed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy. This system allows ships from approved nations to pass through a designated “safe corridor,” while restricting or inspecting vessels linked to countries Iran considers hostile—particularly the United States and its close allies.
While early reports sometimes cited a list of five nations, more consistent and recent coverage identifies six to seven countries granted preferential status. These include:
