AiBotTEHRAN, IRAN – In a move that has sparked concerns about the safety and efficiency of global maritime trade, the Iranian parliament has announced plans to implement a new law for the “smart management” of the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and sees approximately 20 percent of the world’s seaborne oil cargo pass through it, is a critical chokepoint for international trade.
According to Iranian MP Abdolhossein Rouhalamini, the new law will grant Iran the authority to decide on passage through the Strait, imposing fees, offering discounts, or even denying passage based on policy considerations. While Rouhalamini emphasized that Iran has not closed the strait, the move is widely seen as an attempt by Tehran to assert its authority over the waterway.
Under the proposed law, technical decisions will be handled by the Iranian government, while the Supreme National Security Council and a strategic council will be responsible for making key policy decisions. Rouhalamini claimed that passage through the Strait could be granted in exchange for the release of seized ships or payment of tolls, effectively turning the waterway into a profit-making venture for Iran.
The move has been met with concern from regional and international players, who fear it could lead to disruptions in global oil supplies and raise tensions in the already volatile Middle East. Iran’s actions come at a time when tensions have been escalating between Tehran and the West, particularly over the country’s nuclear program and ballistic missile tests.
International shipping groups and industry experts have expressed concerns about the implications of Iran’s move, arguing that it could become a major obstacle to trade in the region. “This is a clear indication that Iran is no longer willing to operate under the existing regime of the Strait of Hormuz, which is based on freedom of navigation,” said a senior executive at a major shipping firm.
As the international community closely watches the developments, Iran’s parliament is expected to vote on the proposed law in the coming weeks. The move is likely to put additional pressure on the country’s relations with the West and could lead to further escalation of tensions in the region.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Rouhalamini emphasized that the new law aims to strengthen Iran’s position as a “security provider” in the region, rather than imposing restrictions on passage through the Strait. However, the move has already sparked concerns about the future of trade and security in the Middle East.