Iran Proposes Law to Ban US and Israeli Ships from Strait of Hormuz with Heavy Fines

Iran's parliament is advancing a new bill aimed at banning American and Israeli vessels from passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The draft legislation would impose heavy fines, up to 20 percent of the cargo's value, on ships violating the restrictions. It also targets vessels from other countries Iran deems hostile, requiring them to obtain approval from Iran's Supreme National Security Council before transit.

The bill does not clarify how Iran plans to identify the true ownership of ships, many of which sail under foreign flags or are operated by international companies. This move is part of Tehran's broader effort to legally assert control over maritime traffic in the Strait, a vital global shipping route for oil and gas exports from the Persian Gulf.

In recent months, Iranian officials have publicly declared that Israeli-linked ships will be barred from the passage, and previous proposals included charging fees and restricting vessels Iran claims threaten its security. Experts warn that enforcing a permanent ban on US and Israeli ships could escalate tensions with Washington and Jerusalem and provoke responses from countries dependent on the route for energy supplies.