Iran lawmakers present Hormuz management bill as US war heats up

Renewed fighting between the US and Iran over the past week has dashed hopes for a return to normality in the strategically important waterway and put at risk a memorandum of understanding signed by the two sides last month. During Monday night’s unannounced parliamentary session, members of Iran’s assembly waved religion-based red flags of vengeance for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top officials killed on the first day of the war launched by the US and Israel on February 28. Hardline lawmakers also introduced a motion called the “Strategic Action for the Security and Sustainable Progress of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf”, which could be debated or passed during future sessions.

“We remain steadfast in defending our red lines, particularly regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz,” Ebrahim Azizi, head of the national security commission of parliament, wrote in a social media post on Tuesday. “This is the first step; subsequent measures are forthcoming.”

The official text of the plan has not been publicly divulged, but the idea of such legislation has been discussed for months by lawmakers who oppose negotiations with the US and want to formalise Iranian control and sovereignty over the strait, through which one-fifth of global energy passes in peacetime. An earlier draft was published by state media in May, but it is unclear what changes, if any, have been made to the text.

That document said vessels flying a US or Israeli flag would be barred from passage, in addition to military, intelligence or other “hostile” vessels belonging to countries or individuals who act against the Tehran-backed “axis of resistance” of regional armed groups, as determined by Iran’s armed forces. All vessels would have to obtain permits, disclose cargo and pay fees, and only use the name “Persian Gulf” – or face blocked passage and even confiscation of up to 20 percent of cargo value, with revenues going to the military and infrastructure reconstruction, according to the May draft.

US President Donald Trump on Monday said Washington intended to take 20 percent of vessels’ cargo value in fees as the new “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz, which he said remains open if ships use a US-backed southern route near Oman that is rejected by Tehran.