Iran parliament approves toll plan for ships passing through Strait of Hormuz

Tehran (The Uttam Hindu): Iran’s parliamentary security committee has approved a major plan related to the management of the Strait of Hormuz. According to state media, the proposal includes imposing a tax (toll) on ships passing through this strategically important maritime route.

As per a report by IRIB, a member of the National Security Commission confirmed that the proposal has received formal approval. The plan outlines regulations concerning the security of the strait, safe navigation of vessels, environmental protection, and financial transactions. Notably, all ships will be required to pay the toll in Iran’s currency, the rial.

Under the new policy, ships from the United States and Israel will be completely barred from entering the strait. Additionally, vessels from countries that support unilateral sanctions against Iran will also be denied access. The move is being seen as an effort to strengthen Iran’s strategic control in the region. It has also been reported that Oman may assist in developing the legal framework for managing this maritime corridor.

The decision comes at a time of heightened tensions in West Asia between Iran and the US-Israel alliance. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy route, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes. This development is expected to intensify strategic competition over control of the region.

Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in an interview with Fox News, stated that the United States will ensure its naval presence and freedom of navigation in the strait in the future. He संकेत that multinational cooperation may be used to maintain balance in this key strategic passage.