Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Parliament has approved an article of the bill “Strategic Action to Ensure Security and Progress for the Strait of Hormuz,” under which ships of countries allowed to pass through this strait must pay for certain services provided by Iran.

Hassan Qashqavi, the spokesman for this commission, said that services such as navigation, environmental protection, refueling in special circumstances, insurance, and safety will be subject to fees.

According to him, these amounts will be collected from ships of authorized countries in the rial or in the currency requested by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Mr. Qashqavi also emphasized that in this bill, while stressing freedom of navigation in accordance with international laws, it also emphasizes observance of the security and sovereignty of the coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz and preventing violations of their rights.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy transit routes. Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz since the beginning of the U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran.

Disruptions in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz have affected global energy markets.

📷IRNA