WANA (Aug 23) – The Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission has approved Article 3 of a bill on the “Strategic Action to Ensure the Security and Development of the Strait of Hormuz,” under which vessels from countries authorized to transit the waterway will be required to pay fees for certain services provided by Iran.

 

Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesman for the commission, said the approved provision requires Iran to charge fees for services including navigation, environmental protection, fuel supply under special circumstances, insurance, safety, and other services provided in the Strait of Hormuz.

 

He said the fees would be collected from vessels of countries authorized to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, with payments to be made in Iranian rials or any other currency designated by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

 

Ghashghavi also stressed the need to respect the rights of countries bordering the Strait of Hormuz, saying the bill recognizes freedom of navigation in accordance with international laws and regulations while emphasizing respect for the security and sovereignty of coastal states and the prevention of violations of their rights.

 

He pointed to the special rules and conditions governing the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, noting that Oman, after accepting the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, issued a political declaration emphasizing that the convention’s provisions should not undermine the country’s national sovereignty and security.

 

The commission approved Article 3 as part of its ongoing review of the bill, with consideration of its remaining provisions to continue.