Iranian Parliament Reviews Restrictive Transit Draft Targeting US and Israeli Vessels
A new legislative draft in the Iranian Majlis proposes a permanent ban on U.S. and Israeli vessels and introduces strict cargo penalties for all transiting ships.
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The Iranian parliament has begun a formal review of a restrictive draft plan for the Strait of Hormuz that could fundamentally alter the legal status of the waterway. The proposed legislation, which surfaced in state media on August 7, includes a permanent ban on all U.S. and Israeli-flagged vessels, as well as any ships carrying cargo destined for or originating from those nations. This move is seen as a direct challenge to the principle of 'transit passage' enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which Iran has signed but never ratified.
Beyond the targeted bans, the draft introduces a series of 'regulatory fees' and mandatory cargo inspections for all commercial traffic. Iranian lawmakers argue these measures are necessary for environmental protection and regional security, citing the recent increase in maritime incidents. However, global shipping organizations have warned that such inspections would grant the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unprecedented control over global trade. The draft also proposes heavy penalties for vessels that fail to provide advanced manifests to Iranian maritime authorities at least 72 hours before arrival at the mouth of the Strait.
Energy markets responded immediately to the news, with Brent crude futures jumping as traders priced in the possibility of a long-term, regulated transit regime rather than a full return to free navigation. The draft's emergence coincides with reports of explosions on Qeshm Island, a strategic Iranian outpost in the Strait. While Tehran has not officially linked the explosions to the legislative push, the timing suggests a hardening of the Iranian position amidst ongoing military tensions.
Legal experts at the Hormuz Sentinel note that if this draft becomes law, it would effectively end the interim de-escalation period suggested by the Islamabad Memorandum. The U.S. has previously stated it would use military force to ensure freedom of navigation, setting the stage for a potential naval confrontation if Iran attempts to enforce these new domestic regulations on international shipping. For now, the international community remains in a 'wait-and-see' posture as the Majlis debates the final language of the bill.
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