Key facts
- Iran's parliament approved a provision to charge ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz for services.
- Fees would cover maritime, environmental, fueling, insurance, and safety measures.
- Payment would be required in Iranian rials or another currency.
- Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has declined significantly, with fewer than 20 vessels transiting over a weekend.
- Iran has warned vessels violating transit rules could face fines, detention, or confiscation.
- Iran has blacklisted 45 tankers for violating its transit rules.
- Oman's Foreign Minister is expected to visit Tehran for talks on the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's parliament has approved a provision within a draft law that would enable Tehran to impose fees on ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz. The National Security and Foreign Policy Commission approved Article 3 of the 'Strategic Action to Ensure the Security and Progress of the Strait of Hormuz' plan. The proposed fees would cover services including maritime, environmental, fueling, insurance, and safety measures. Committee spokesperson Hassan Qashqavi indicated that these charges would be payable in Iranian rials or an alternative currency. The draft legislation also considers the rights of nations bordering the Strait, referencing the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea. The draft law now awaits a full parliamentary vote and review by the Guardian Council. Historically, passage through the Strait of Hormuz was free before the recent conflict. The United States has rejected the proposed fees. Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained weak over the weekend, with fewer than 20 vessels traversing the chokepoint. Data showed approximately 90% fewer AIS-detected transits compared to pre-conflict baselines. Iran has also warned that vessels violating its transit arrangements could face restrictions including fines, detention, or confiscation, according to the Persian Gulf Strait Authority. Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi is expected to visit Tehran for talks aimed at bolstering regional peace and stability. Iran announced it has blacklisted 45 tankers for violating its transit rules, warning of action against future transits and any vessels transferring loads with them. This escalation comes ahead of anticipated US measures to isolate the Iranian economy.