Iran Parliament to Apply New Navigation Rules in Strait of Hormuz, Impose Transit Fees

ILLUSTRATION/ Warships crossing the Strait of Hormuz/PHOTO Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky via Wikimedia Commons

JAKARTA - The Iranian parliament will introduce a new navigation regime in the Strait of Hormuz, where Tehran will guarantee the safety of ship navigation while charging transit fees.

The statement was made by member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Parliament Alaeddin Boroujerdi on Monday, March 30.

"With the approval of parliament, a new regime will be imposed on the strait," Boroujerdi said, as quoted by IRIB announcer, reported by ANTARA from Sputnik.

Boroujerdi explained that no ship would be allowed to cross the Strait of Hormuz without Iranian permission. Tehran, he continued, would also guarantee the safety of ships and impose transit tariffs.

Previously, on February 28, the United States and Israel launched an attack on targets in Iran, including in Tehran, which caused damage and civilian casualties. Iran then retaliated by attacking Israeli territory and American military facilities in the Middle East.

Escalation of the conflict around Iran has led to a de facto blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, which is an important route for the shipment of oil and liquefied natural gas from Persian Gulf countries to global markets. The blockade also affects the level of oil exports and production in the region. As a result, fuel prices have increased in most countries in the world.