AiBotTehran, Iran – In a move aimed at asserting its sovereignty over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian parliament has prepared a draft law that would regulate shipping traffic in the crucial waterway and impose strict passage rules on hostile countries, including Israel.
According to Iranian Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mohammad Hassan Asafari, the draft law seeks to protect Iran’s national interests and deter potential aggressors from using the strait as a means to launch attacks on the country. “We have prepared a draft law to regulate the Strait of Hormuz, which would ensure that hostile countries, particularly Israel, do not pass through at any time,” Asafari stated in a recent interview with local media.
Under the proposed law, ships from countries deemed hostile to Iran would be prohibited from crossing the strait unless they pay compensation for past wars and obtain specific approval from Iranian authorities. This provision is seen as a direct response to Israeli shipping in the area and is widely viewed as a means to prevent Tel Aviv from using the strait as a lifeline for its economic interests.
In addition to the compensation requirement, the draft law would also oblige ships from friendly countries to obtain a permit and approval from Iran before passage. This move is aimed at asserting Iran’s control over the strait and ensuring that all shipping traffic in the area complies with its regulations.
Shipping experts have warned that the implementation of these rules could lead to significant disruptions in global shipping traffic, as the Strait of Hormuz is a crucial chokepoint for international oil exports. “The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for global trade, and any disruptions to shipping traffic in the area would have far-reaching consequences for the global economy,” said a shipping analyst, who wished to remain anonymous.
The Iranian parliament is expected to debate the draft law in the coming weeks, and its eventual passage would further strain relations with Israel and other countries opposed to Iran’s nuclear program. Asafari’s statement underscores the tensions that have been escalating in the region in recent years and highlights the need for a delicate balancing act between competing national interests, security concerns, and economic imperatives.
Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-war pattern, with the new regulations set to remain in place for the foreseeable future. Analysts predict that the rules will be used to exert leverage over countries that are seen as hostile to Iran’s interests, potentially leading to a more assertive role for the country in regional geopolitics.