The crew of the Agios Fanourios I carefully followed a route designated by Iranian authorities, staying close to the coastline and passing between island checkpoints in the Strait of Hormuz.
The 330-metre-long tanker, carrying Iraqi crude oil bound for Vietnam, had been stuck off Dubai since late April. On May 10, it finally proceeded after a special arrangement involving Iraq’s government.
Iran has established a detailed system for allowing vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The process can include government-to-government agreements, security vetting, and in some cases, fees for safe passage.
The Agios Fanourios I’s journey was closely monitored by parties in Vietnam, Iraq, and Greece. The ship’s transponder was turned off at times during the transit. On the same day, another vessel in the area was hit by a projectile, causing a small fire.
Late on May 10, as the tanker passed Hormuz Island, it was stopped by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) speedboats. Iranian authorities cited suspicion of smuggled cargo and conducted an inspection. Several hours later, the vessel was allowed to continue. What is normally a five-hour passage took two days.
The ship’s manager said no payments were made for the transit. “We have reasons to believe that Iranians turned a blind eye to the transit of Agios Fanourios I, following pressure from Iraq and Vietnam,” said Konstantinos Sakellaridis, operations manager for Eastern Mediterranean Shipping.
Iran’s Control Mechanism
Iran has tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway carrying about one-fifth of global oil supply. The country now operates a tiered system for vessel passage. Priority appears to go to ships linked to allies such as Russia and China, followed by nations with close ties like India and Pakistan, and special government-to-government arrangements.
Some vessels not covered by such deals are reportedly paying significant fees for safe passage. Iranian authorities have also set up the Persian Gulf Strait Authority to manage approvals and collect charges where applied.
The vetting process involves the IRGC and other Iranian state bodies. Ship owners must submit detailed information including cargo value, vessel ownership, crew nationalities, and route plans. In some cases, physical inspections are required.
Bilateral Arrangements
Countries such as Iraq and India have negotiated direct arrangements with Tehran. Iraq worked through senior government channels to secure passage for the Agios Fanourios I. India uses its embassy in Tehran and coordinates with its navy to guide Indian-flagged vessels.
Even after clearing Iranian checkpoints, vessels can face further complications. The Agios Fanourios I was later stopped for six days by the U.S. Navy’s blockade before being released on May 16.
Iran has stated that vessels linked to the United States or Israel are barred from passing. The U.S. has warned against any transactions that could support the Iranian regime.
