Iran is Drafting Law to Introduce Toll on Strait of Hormuz

The Iranian parliament is working on a draft bill that would impose a fee on vessels seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

Fars, citing an unnamed lawmaker, said the plan would be finalized next week and would legally recognize Iran's oversight of Hormuz, a vital conduit which connects some of the world's largest oil and gas producers in the Arabian Gulf with the wider world.

The narrow waterway has been all but closed since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began almost a month ago, and has become a focal point of the war. Only a trickle of ships have made their way through in the intervening weeks as Iran tightens control, most of them with Iranian or Chinese connections and a handful that have secured safe passage from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The proposed legislation would formalize Iran's de facto control over the strategic chokepoint, which handles approximately 20% of global oil consumption and 30% of liquefied natural gas traded worldwide. Under the draft bill, vessels would be required to pay fees for navigation rights through the strait, which separates Iran from Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

International shipping associations have expressed concern over the potential impact on global energy markets, with many analysts warning that additional fees could disrupt supply chains and drive up transportation costs. The timing of the proposal coincides with heightened tensions in the Gulf region, as maritime traffic has already declined significantly since the escalation of hostilities.

The Iranian government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the draft legislation, though lawmakers have indicated that the measure aims to assert national sovereignty over territorial waters while generating revenue to offset economic pressures from ongoing sanctions.

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