A fee regulation targeting ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz was approved by the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee. The committee approved the third provision of the strategic action plan bill, whose consideration had previously been postponed.
Discussions on the bill, which aims to ensure the security and development of the Strait of Hormuz, are continuing.
Services subject to planned fees
Committee spokesman Hasan Kakashvandi announced that fees would be charged to ships for navigation and environmental services, refueling in special circumstances, insurance, security and other services provided in the strait.
Under the bill, payment would be collected from ships of countries permitted to transit the strait in Iranian rials or another currency to be determined by Tehran.
Kakashvandi said the text safeguarded the rights of countries bordering the Strait of Hormuz. The bill states that freedom of maritime navigation is recognized within the framework of international law and rules, that the security and sovereignty of coastal countries are respected, and that it aims to prevent violations of those countries’ rights.
Oman’s sovereignty and security condition
Noting that the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf have their own distinctive rules and conditions, Kakashvandi also referred to Oman’s political statement on maritime law.
The committee spokesman said Oman’s statement, issued after the country accepted the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, declared that the provisions of the convention must not harm the country’s sovereignty and national security.
Stages for bills to become law in Iran
The report prepared on the provisions approved by the committee must be put to a vote in the plenary session after discussions on the bill are completed in the relevant parliamentary committee.
If parliament approves the bill, the text will be sent to the Guardian Council for review of its compliance with the Constitution and Islamic criteria. If the council objects, the bill will be returned to parliament; if the disagreement continues, the Expediency Discernment Council may become involved.
After approval by the Guardian Council, the text will enter into force at the final stage upon publication by the president.
