Iran moves to selective passage in Hormuz... 15 pre-approved ships pass through [US–Iran war]

The Islamic Republic of Iran is tightening its grip on the Strait of Hormuz by shifting from a full blockade to a system of selective passage by country. Vessels linked to the United States of America (US) and the State of Israel are being excluded, while ships from states friendly to Tehran are being granted limited access under what amounts to a "bloc-based passage regime."
According to semi-official Fars News Agency on the 5th (local time), 15 ships that had obtained prior authorization from the Islamic Republic of Iran passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours. Ship-tracking data also identified about 16 commercial vessels since last weekend. The exact figure varies depending on the timing and method of counting, but all data confirm that passage is being allowed only under extremely tight restrictions.
The nationalities of the 15–16 ships that passed this time were not disclosed, but they are believed to be primarily vessels from the Islamic Republic of Iran or pro-Iranian states, as well as friendly countries such as China, Russia and the Republic of India. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy declared, "The Strait of Hormuz will never return to its previous state," adding, "In particular, ships of the United States of America (US) and the State of Israel will no longer be able to navigate as they did before." It went on to say, "We are finalizing preparations to implement a new security order in the Persian Gulf."
In connection with this, the government of Malaysia, which imports crude oil from the Republic of Iraq, had already announced on the 31st of last month that it had "received authorization from the Iranian government for passage through the Strait of Hormuz and was exempted from transit fees." More recently, the tanker Ocean Thunder, carrying about 1 million barrels of Iraqi crude, was found to have transited the strait via a narrow northern route close to Iranian territorial waters. U.S. media outlets assessed this as "a step reflecting Iran’s exceptional permission for passage granted to its 'brother nation,' the Republic of Iraq."
In addition, ship-tracking data from Kpler show that the Green Asha, a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier flying the Republic of India flag, passed through the Strait of Hormuz on the 6th and proceeded into the Gulf of Oman. Two other Indian cargo vessels without International Maritime Organization (IMO) identification numbers, and thus not included in the official tally, were also observed exiting into the Gulf of Oman along the coast of the Sultanate of Oman. The government of the Republic of Türkiye, which maintains a relationship of strategic competitive partnership with the Islamic Republic of Iran, likewise stated earlier that some of its ships had been granted passage through the strait.
A French container ship and a Japanese tanker have also transited the Strait of Hormuz, indicating that the Islamic Republic of Iran is now opening sea lanes to certain European and Asian countries. This has drawn attention to the 26 South Korean vessels currently stranded in and around the strait. Asked whether Seoul is negotiating with Tehran over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea replied, "We have never been told that South Korea is not allowed, or anything of that sort." The official added that the government is prioritizing the safety of the ships and continuing consultations with the countries concerned.
whywani@fnnews.com Hong Chae-wan Reporter