Iran is considering a preliminary bill on the management of the Strait of Hormuz
Iran is considering a preliminary bill on the management of the Strait of Hormuz that would ban the passage of US and Israeli vessels through the strait, the semi official Fars news agency reported on Thursday. When the narrow sea corridor through which a quarter of the world's oil passes becomes a legal battleground, and Tehran prepares a law that could block access to two superpowers, the world once again holds its breath. The Strait of Hormuz is not just a geographical point – it is an artery of the global economy, and every new ban here sounds like a shot on the exchanges.
The bill under review in the Iranian parliament threatens not only a ban on passage but also fines of up to 20% of cargo value for violators. At the same time, Iran and Oman are negotiating the resumption of shipping, while the US, through intermediaries, is trying to return to a memorandum of understanding. In this chess game, where the pieces are tankers and the stakes are the economies of entire continents, Trump's words that the strait is "essentially open" sound like an attempt to save face in the face of mounting pressure.
The report, citing Alireza Salimi, a member of the Iranian parliament's presiding board, said that the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian parliament is reviewing a preliminary draft of Strategic Actions for Ensuring Security and Sustainable Development of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.
Under the draft, US and Israeli vessels would be banned from transiting the Strait of Hormuz; military and civilian cargo linked to Israel would be barred from passing through the area; ships or cargo involved in operations against the "Resistance Front" would also be prohibited from transiting the strait. Violators of the relevant rules could face sanctions, including fines of up to 20% of the cargo value. The Iranian parliament has invited relevant experts to submit their opinions and proposals for further refinement of the proposal.
Meanwhile, Iran and Oman have reached agreement on the main points of a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days, Saudi Al Hadath and Al Arabiya TV channels reported on Thursday, citing senior sources. The sources said the agreement, which still needs to be approved by Iran's Supreme National Security Council and could be announced within days, is aimed at resuming shipping in the strait. Inbound vessels will use a route close to Iran, while outbound vessels will use a route close to Oman.
No transit or service fees will be charged, and regional parties may participate in demining and technical procedures, the sources said. After the agreement is approved, the United States and Iran will return to their memorandum of understanding and activate clause 5, concerning the resumption and safe navigation of commercial vessels through the strait, the sources said.
Indirect contacts between Iran and the United States are continuing through intermediaries and have entered their final stage, the sources added. US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that an agreement with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz had not yet been reached, but that the strait was "essentially open". He added that the US was involved in negotiations and had made significant progress. Iran tightened its control over the strait on 28 February, banning safe passage for vessels owned by or affiliated with Israel and the United States, following their joint strikes on Iranian territory. In June, Iran and the US signed a memorandum of understanding on ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. The two sides planned to hold negotiations within 60 days to reach a final agreement, but recent escalation in the region has cast doubt on the fate of the talks.
The negotiations between Iran and Oman, as well as the indirect dialogue with the US, are taking place against a complex regional backdrop. On one hand, Tehran is demonstrating toughness by introducing a bill to block passage; on the other, it is engaging in compromises through Oman, which traditionally acts as a mediator. Analysts note that the passage of the bill could serve as leverage in the talks, but the actual resumption of shipping depends on Washington's readiness to meet its obligations under the memorandum. If an agreement is reached, it could de escalate tensions in the region, but the risks of escalation remain high, especially in light of Trump's statements, which attempt to portray the situation as controlled despite persistent contradictions.
As CCTV+ reports, further developments will depend on whether the Iranian parliament can pass the bill before the agreement with Oman is finalised, and whether the Trump administration is ready to make real concessions to ensure safe navigation in one of the world's most strategically important straits
