TEHRAN — Iran has developed a mechanism to regulate maritime traffic through a designated route in the Strait of Hormuz and plans to impose fees for “specialized services” provided under the system, a senior Iranian lawmaker said on Saturday.
Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said only commercial vessels and parties cooperating with Iran would benefit from the planned arrangement.
“In this process, only commercial vessels and parties cooperating with Iran will benefit from it,” Azizi wrote on X.
He added that Tehran would soon unveil the details of the plan, warning that the route “will remain closed to the operators of the so-called ‘freedom project.’”
The comments come amid heightened tensions in the Gulf following US and Israeli strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, which triggered attacks by Tehran against Israel and US allies in the region, alongside the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation efforts, but talks later held in Islamabad failed to secure a permanent agreement.
Since April 13, the United States has enforced a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the strategic waterway.
US President Donald Trump also announced “Project Freedom” in early May, pledging to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz despite Iran’s insistence that ships require prior approval from Tehran to transit the route.
Trump later announced a pause to the initiative.
Source: Saudi Gazette