Iran’s parliament has completed a committee-level consideration of a proposed bill that would establish what lawmakers frame as the future Iranian management of the Strait of Hormuz, including the imposition of fees on commercial vessels using the vital waterway.
Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesman for the parliament’s National Security Commission, told the semi-official Tasnim news agency the proposed “Strategic Action Plan for Ensuring Security and Sustainable Development of the Strait of Hormuz” would preserve Iranian control over all traffic through the strait in line with Iran’s national interests and security.
Under the bill, Iran would charge vessels for services including navigation, environmental protection, bunkering and fuel. Ships linked to Israel, countries deemed hostile by Iran, countries that have carried out military action against Iran, or vessels carrying military cargo would be prohibited from passing through the strait under the legislation, Ghashghavi said.
Ships from countries not considered hostile would have to obtain authorization from Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces before transiting the waterway, he added.
The bil will now be debated and voted on by Iran’s full parliament and, if approved, would then require review by Iran’s powerful Guardian Council and other authorities before becoming law in the country.
The Trump administration rejects Iran’s rhetoric suggesting it will control the strait going forward, as well as Tehran’s current demands for all commercial vessels to seek permission for transits.Â
Iran has repeatedly targeted tankers and other ships it accuses of using the strait without its permission, however, seriously limiting the flow of oil and gas out of the Persian gulf since the war began.
