Iran Moves to Tighten Rules for Foreign Ships in Strait of Hormuz

Amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, Tehran has moved to introduce stricter rules for foreign vessels travelling through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Committee approved provisions under a proposed law that would allow authorities to seize 20% of a vessel’s cargo or its equivalent value if the ship violates Iran’s rules for passage. The vessels could also be temporarily detained until the required penalty is paid. The measures are part of a broader proposal aimed at establishing a permanent Iranian regulatory framework for the strategic waterway.

The development comes as Washington and Tehran continue to make competing claims over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. In his September 22 address to the United Nations General Assembly, US President Donald Trump said the US Navy had escorted more than one billion barrels of oil through the waterway and was facilitating the movement of multiple vessels each day. Trump also said he hoped a deal with Iran could be reached after the US midterm elections, while warning of severe consequences if an agreement was not reached. The latest Iranian measures have added to concerns among shipping and energy markets about the security and reliability of one of the world's most important oil transit routes. Recent reporting indicates that maritime traffic continues through the strait, although volumes remain affected by the wider conflict.