Iran prepares new rules for the Strait of Hormuz: parliamentary committee approves bill

The National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian parliament has approved a bill that provides for new strategic measures for the management and security of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.

The decision was made against the backdrop of Iran’s negotiations with Oman on the restoration of shipping on one of the key sea routes for global energy supplies.

This was announced by the spokesman of the Iranian parliament, Hassan Gashgavi.

What the bill provides for

The document is called “On Strategic Measures to Ensure the Security and Sustainable Development of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.”

According to Gashgavi, during the meeting, members of the parliamentary committee considered the proposals and comments of the relevant state bodies, after which they unanimously supported the bill.

The Iranian side has not yet made public the detailed content of the document.

At the same time, Iranian media previously reported that parliament is discussing the possibility of banning ships associated with the US and Israel from passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

It is currently unknown whether the relevant provision was included in the draft law approved by the committee.

Why is the Strait of Hormuz so important

The Strait of Hormuz is of strategic importance to the global economy, as a significant part of seaborne supplies of oil and liquefied natural gas from the Persian Gulf countries pass through it.

Any restrictions on shipping or worsening security in the region could affect international logistics routes and global energy prices.

That is why possible changes to the rules for passing ships through the strait have significance far beyond Iran.

Iran negotiates with Oman

The approval of the draft law is taking place in parallel with negotiations on the restoration of stable shipping.

Earlier, the Iranian authorities announced that they had reached an agreement with Oman on the proposed route for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

This could be one of the steps towards restoring the full operation of the strategic waterway.

At the same time, the final consequences of the Iranian legislative initiative will depend on the text of the document and what restrictions on foreign ships the parliament decides to introduce.