Iran's parliament is reviewing a proposal to bar ships linked to the United States, Israel, and other countries it describes as "hostile" from transiting
the Strait of Hormuz until Tehran is compensated for damage caused during the war, according to Iranian state media. The proposal would also impose fees of up to 7% of cargo value on commercial vessels passing through the strategic waterway. Ships that violate Iran's conditions could face fines amounting to 20% of the value of their cargo, the reports said. The move comes as Iran said it is finalizing an agreement with Oman on shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian state media, vessels would enter through the northern corridor near the Iranian coast and exit through the southern corridor near the Omani coast.
Iran Says Oman Shipping Agreement Is Near, US Disputes Claim
Oman has not publicly commented on the reported arrangement.
The Trump administration, however, rejected Iran's characterization of the agreement.
"Any temporary routes will be without any impediments — meaning no approvals or permissions and no tolls or charges. The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and no party controls the lanes or the ability to transit through them," a U.S. official told NPR on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
President Donald Trump later said the United States currently controls the strait through its naval blockade on Iran.
The reported proposal comes more than five months after the United States and Israel began their war against Iran on Feb. 28.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for crude oil, liquefied natural gas and other global trade, remained open until the conflict escalated. Following joint US and Israeli military strikes, Iran retaliated across the region and asserted control over the waterway. The United States subsequently imposed a naval blockade on Iran in April and again in July, a blockade it continues to enforce.
A temporary memorandum of understanding signed by the Trump administration and Iran's leadership in mid-June to halt the fighting and reopen the strait later collapsed after renewed exchanges of strikes.
The disruption in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has affected global fuel and fertilizer supplies, increased prices and rattled economies worldwide.
On Thursday, Trump said negotiations to reopen the strait were progressing. Turkey's foreign minister, who has been assisting mediation efforts, also said a temporary agreement between the United States and Iran could be announced soon.
Gulf countries, concerned about further escalation and possible attacks on their oil infrastructure, are urging all sides to reach an interim agreement to reduce tensions in the region.
