Iran Drafts Bill to Restrict Foreign Ship Access in Strait of Hormuz, Impose Taxes

Tehran. Iran has drafted a bill to restrict foreign ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. The draft proposes that Tehran will ban the entry of ships from Israel and the United States and impose taxes on other foreign ships.

Tehran has described this as a move to strengthen its sovereignty and maritime security. The chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Parliament, Ebrahim Azizi, said at a ceremony in Tehran, "It will be passed as a 'preventive law' after the legislature resumes."

He said, "The bill is ready and has been discussed in a series of meetings with relevant officials of the country, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ports and Maritime Organization."

Azizi had said earlier on Thursday, "Iran has always tried to ensure safe and free passage in the Strait of Hormuz. The presence of the US military and Israeli attacks have been the main source of insecurity and instability in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz."

The purpose of this bill is to strengthen Iran's sovereignty. He said, "This bill from the Iranian Parliament has been brought with the aim of strengthening Iran's sovereignty in the 'Strait of Hormuz'. Iran has always been in favor of safe and free passage in this important waterway."

He stated that the presence of the US military and Israel's activities are the main reasons for instability in this region. He said, "The bill has been finalized after extensive discussions with relevant bodies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ports Organization."

According to Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency, there were sporadic clashes between the Iranian army and US ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday.