Iran’s parliament has completed committee-level consideration of a bill that would establish what lawmakers frame as Iran’s future management of the Strait of Hormuz, including imposing tariffs on commercial vessels that use the vital waterway. Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesman for parliament’s National Security Commission, told the semi-official Tasnim news agency that the “proposed Strategic Action Plan to ensure the security and sustainable development of the Strait of Hormuz” would preserve Iranian control over all traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. closely in accordance with Iran’s national interests and security. Under the bill, Iran would charge ships for services including navigation, environmental protection, bunkering and fuel. Ships linked to Israel, countries considered hostile by Iran, countries that have carried out military actions against Iran or ships carrying military cargo will be prohibited from passing through the strait under the legislation, Ghashghavi said. Ships from countries not considered hostile would have to obtain authorization from the General Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces before transiting the waterway, he added. Guardian Council and other authorities before becoming law in the country. The Trump administration rejects rhetoric from Iran suggesting it will control the strait in the future, as well as Tehran’s current demands that all commercial ships request permission for transits. Iran has repeatedly attacked oil tankers and other ships it accuses of using the strait without its permission, severely limiting the flow of oil and gas out of the Persian Gulf since the war began.
