Iranian parliamentary committee approves draft charging ships fees for Strait of Hormuz passage

Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee approved a provision on August 23 authorizing fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz for navigation, environmental, fuel supply, insurance, security, and other services, a move seen as expanding Tehran’s control over this critical waterway ^{[1, 2, 3]}. Hassan Qashqavi, spokesperson for the committee, said the law allows charges for “navigation and environmental services, fuel supplies in special cases, insurance, security and other services provided in the strait” ^[1].

The fees would apply to ships belonging to countries permitted to transit the strait and must be paid in Iranian rial or another currency designated by Tehran, Qashqavi added ^[2]. The draft law balances asserting Iran’s sovereignty and security concerns with respect for freedom of maritime navigation under international law ^[2].

The new provision still requires approval by the full Iranian parliament, review by the Guardian Council to ensure constitutional compliance, and final presidential promulgation before becoming law ^{[1, 2, 3]}.

The Strait of Hormuz has become a flashpoint since the US and Israel began military action against Iran in February 2026, with Tehran seeking to exert authority over passage, including charging fees, which Washington rejects ^{[4, 1, 2]}. On the same day as the committee’s vote, Iran announced a blacklist of 45 to 46 ships from countries such as India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Singapore for allegedly violating transit regulations in the strait ^{[5, 6]}. These vessels could face fines, detention, confiscation, and sanctions on associated ship-to-ship transfers ^{[5, 6]}.

US Treasury Secretary Bessent accused Iran of seeking to sustain itself through these economic controls by saying “Washington aims to sever every economic lifeline that sustains Iran” ^[4].

The draft law’s next step is a parliamentary vote followed by the Guardian Council’s review. Only after completing these stages and presidential approval can the fee mechanism legally take effect in the Strait of Hormuz.