Tehran (Web Desk): Iran is reportedly considering a proposal to impose transit fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied gas shipments, a lawmaker said on Thursday.
The potential move comes after Tehran disrupted maritime traffic in the strait following the outbreak of war with the US and Israel, targeting vessels it claims are linked to its adversaries and their allies.
According to the Iranian Students’ News Agency, parliament is reviewing a bill under which countries using the strait for shipping, energy transit, and food supplies would be required to pay tolls or taxes to Iran.
An adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mohammad Mokhber, stated that a “new regime for the Strait of Hormuz” will be implemented once the war concludes, allowing Tehran to enforce maritime restrictions on states that have sanctioned it. “By leveraging the strategic position of the Strait of Hormuz, we can sanction the West and restrict their ships from passing through this waterway,” he said, according to Mehr News Agency.
Tensions escalated after a preemptive US-Israel attack on Iran on February 28, 2025. In response, Iran launched drone and missile strikes on Israel and US military installations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other GCC countries.
Tehran also disrupted oil tanker movements at the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial energy artery, causing near-total disruption of commercial shipping and driving global energy prices higher.
The developments have raised concerns over a prolonged energy shock and broader regional instability, with global powers considering both military and diplomatic measures to restore safe access to the critical waterway.