WANA (Mar 26) – Iran’s Parliament has begun reviewing a proposal that would introduce toll charges for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, positioning it as a new source of national revenue.

 

The head of the Parliament’s Infrastructure Commission, Rezaei Kouchi, stated that the primary objective of the plan is to “formally establish Iran’s sovereignty, control, and legal oversight over the Strait of Hormuz,” a waterway widely regarded as one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. He emphasized that, alongside its legal dimensions, the proposal also aims to create a sustainable revenue stream for Iran through toll collection.

 

According to him, an initial draft of the proposal has been prepared but has not yet reached its final stage. The draft is expected to be submitted to the Parliament’s Research Center next week, where legal experts will review and refine it. Following this, the proposal will be formally introduced and pursued once parliamentary sessions resume.

 

Explaining the rationale behind the initiative, Rezaei Kouchi pointed to similar practices in international transit routes, stating:

 

“This is completely natural. Just as goods passing through other corridors are subject to tolls, the Strait of Hormuz is also a corridor. Iran provides its security, and it is therefore reasonable for ships and oil tankers to pay for that service.”

 

If finalized, the proposal could mark a significant shift in Iran’s economic and legal approach to the Strait of Hormuz—a strategic passage through which a substantial portion of the world’s energy trade flows, and where Iran’s role in maintaining security has long been a focal point in regional and international dynamics.

Strait of Hormuz. Social media/ WANA News Agency