• Iran’s parliament is moving to codify a management regime for the Strait of Hormuz, potentially giving Tehran greater authority over shipping tolls, security, and access.
  • The plan, which has garnered substantial MP support, is expected to be formally adopted by 2026 and includes provisions for toll collection in rial and a regional development fund.
  • International stakeholders, including Gulf states and Western powers, are monitoring the development closely amid concerns over legal legitimacy and potential impacts on global energy flows.

Strategic Shift in the Strait

Iran’s parliament has accelerated efforts to transform its de facto control over the Strait of Hormuz into a permanent legal framework, according to Tasnim News Agency. The plan, described by officials as a move to “smartly manage” the waterway, now sits on the parliamentary agenda after securing broad backing from lawmakers. If enacted, it would formalize Tehran’s ability to impose tolls, enforce security checks, and regulate vessel passage—a notable escalation from previous ad hoc measures.

“There is no expected change in Hormuz conditions until the United States accepts a reasonable deal,” an Iranian source told Tasnim in April 2026, linking the plan’s timeline to broader nuclear negotiations. The legislation reportedly tasks the Supreme National Security Council with classifying ships and determining access, raising the stakes for international shippers and insurers.

Economic and Market Repercussions

The Strait of Hormuz handles about 20% of global oil transit, making any shift in its governance a potential flashpoint for energy markets. Under the proposed law, tolls would be collected in rial, a currency under heavy sanctions pressure, adding complexity for foreign carriers. Analysts warn that even the threat of restrictions could raise shipping insurance premiums and reroute tankers, though concrete market reactions are still evolving. Shipping firms and oil traders have begun contingency planning, people familiar with the matter said.

Regional and International Reactions

Gulf neighbors have expressed unease over the plan, with some viewing it as a challenge to international maritime law. The United States and European Union have not issued formal statements but are reportedly weighing diplomatic and legal responses. Tehran, however, frames the move as a sovereign right to manage its territorial waters and a tool to fund regional development. “The plan is about security and stability,” an Iranian parliamentary aide said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

What Comes Next

The bill’s passage is not assured—debate is expected to intensify as parliament reconciles domestic priorities with external pressures. But the momentum suggests a hardening of Iran’s posture. Without a compromise in broader U.S.-Iran talks, the strait could become a new front in economic statecraft, with implications for global energy logistics that extend far beyond the Gulf.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the timeline for parliamentary adoption. The plan is expected to be finalized in 2026, not 2025.