Iran seeks to implement ‘permit and toll’ regime in Strait of Hormuz

Iran is moving to assert tighter control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, with lawmakers pushing a bill that would introduce a new regulatory system, including transit tolls and mandatory clearance for passing vessels.

Senior Iranian MP Alaeddin Boroujerdi said that the legislation is expected to be approved “as soon as possible” by the Iranian Parliament (Majlis), warning that no ship would be allowed to pass through the vital waterway without Iran’s permission once the law comes into force.

Under the proposed framework, vessels transiting the strait would be required to pay fees in exchange for security and related services.

“We have complete control over the Strait of Hormuz. A new system will govern this waterway soon once a bill is adopted by the Majlis. Security and services for ships will be ensured through fees for passage through the strait stipulated by the bill,” he was quoted as saying by the SNN TV channel.

His statement indicates a significant shift in how one of the world’s busiest energy corridors could be managed.

The move follows earlier remarks by Mohammad Reza Rezai Kouchi, chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s civil affairs committee, who confirmed that legislation to impose transit charges is in the pipeline.

Iran’s push to formalise control over the Strait comes amid escalating tensions in the region and renewed concerns over global energy security.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which a substantial share of the world’s oil supply passes, has long been a geopolitical flashpoint.

US President Donald Trump said that he prefers to seize Kharg Island, the vital island through which 90 percent of the oil of Iran passes through.

Boroujerdi also signalled a harder nuclear stance, saying “the time has come” for Iran to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, arguing that the agreement has lost relevance following recent attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States and Israel.

The Hormuz proposal has drawn sharp criticism internationally. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber has warned that any attempt to “weaponise” the Strait of Hormuz would amount to “economic terrorism,” with far-reaching consequences for global consumers. “When Iran holds Hormuz hostage, every nation pays the price,” he said, cautioning against destabilisation of energy markets.

Meanwhile, Iran said the ongoing conflict has taken a toll on its cultural heritage. According to the government, at least 131 historical sites and 64 tourist locations have been damaged during recent hostilities involving the United States and Israel.

In a further escalation, US media reports indicate that the United States used the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) for the first time in combat during strikes on Iranian targets, including sites in the southern city of Lamerd.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has maintained that the country does not seek to acquire nuclear weapons, even as debate intensifies over its future participation in the NPT.