Iranian parliamentary committee approves provision to charge ships in Hormuz

Iranian lawmakers have approved a provision that would permit the country to levy fees on ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz. The National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Iran's parliament recently greenlighted Article 3 of its Strategic Action to Ensure the Security and Progress of the Strait of Hormuz plan. This article stipulates that charges will be levied for various services including maritime support, environmental protection, fueling under specific conditions, insurance, safety measures, and other services provided within the strait.

Committee spokesperson Hassan Qashqavi clarified that these fees would be collected from vessels belonging to countries that are permitted to pass through the strait and would be paid in Iranian rials or another currency. The draft legislation also acknowledges the rights of states adjacent to the Strait. The Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz have their own set of rules and conditions, and upon ratifying the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, Oman issued a political declaration asserting that these provisions should not infringe upon the nation's sovereignty or security.

The draft law will now proceed to a full parliamentary vote on its provisions and overall passage. Upon approval, it will be reviewed by the Guardian Council, which will scrutinize it for alignment with the Constitution and Islamic principles. Historically, passage through the Strait of Hormuz was free; however, Iran now asserts its right to impose such fees.

The United States opposes the imposition of these charges, while former President Donald Trump recently posted a map on social media, designating the Strait of Hormuz as "new US territory."