Iran Moves to Block Ships from the United States, Israel and Other 'Hostile' Countries from the Strait of Hormuz

[Financial News] Iran's parliament is reviewing a bill that would prevent ships from the United States, Israel, and other countries designated by Iran as 'hostile' from passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Fars News Agency and other outlets on the 6th local time, the National Security and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Islamic Consultative Assembly is examining a draft of the "Strategic Action Bill for Securing the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf and Promoting Sustainable Development." Assembly member Alireza Salimi, who serves on the steering committee, said the bill consists of 11 articles.
The draft would completely ban the passage through the Strait of Hormuz of ships owned by, flagged by, or affiliated with the United States, Israel, or countries Iran has designated as hostile. Warships and vessels operating in the Persian Gulf for espionage, intelligence gathering, or other activities deemed harmful to Iran's security would also be barred from entering the strait. The Iranian Armed Forces will determine whether a vessel is subject to the ban.
It also prohibits all cargo, whether military or civilian, bound for or originating from Israel from passing through the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. Ships and cargo involved in hostile acts against the so-called 'Axis of Resistance,' including Lebanon's Hezbollah, Yemen's Houthi rebels, and Iraq's pro-Iranian militia Hashd al-Shaabi, would also be barred.
Under the draft, ships from countries that have sanctioned Iran or frozen Iranian assets would also be denied passage through the strait. Countries, companies, institutions, and individuals that have caused damage to Iran would not be granted transit permission until they provide compensation.
The draft also requires the Iranian government and military to provide services such as vessel transit guidance, route inspections, environmental certification, and assessments of whether passage should be allowed. Fees for navigation guidance, supervision, and safety measures would be collected first in Iranian rials. In addition, violations of these rules would be punishable under existing Iranian law, along with fines of up to 20% of the value of the ship's cargo.
Salimi said, "This is still under review by the National Security Committee and has not received final approval," and asked experts and people working in related fields to submit their opinions to parliament.
 


[email protected] Lee Seok-woo, international affairs correspondent Reporter