Iran Parliament Introduces Bill on Strait of Hormuz as Tensions with US Escalate

Iran's parliament has initiated legislative action concerning the Strait of Hormuz, the head of its security committee announced on Tuesday. The move comes amid renewed hostilities between Washington and Tehran over control of the strategic waterway.

Ebrahim Azizi, head of the parliamentary security committee, stated on social media platform X that the 'Strategic Action for the Security and Sustainable Progress of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf' bill was formally introduced in parliament on Monday night, coinciding with the downing of US drones.

'We remain steadfast in defending our red lines, particularly regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz,' Azizi wrote. 'This is the first step; subsequent measures are forthcoming.'

The US-Iran conflict over the strait reignited last week following disagreements on its management, casting doubt on a framework deal signed last month aimed at ending the broader West Asia war. Tehran asserts its right to oversee the strait and impose fees on transiting vessels—a demand Washington has strongly rejected.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump declared that the United States was 'taking over' the Strait of Hormuz and reimposing a blockade of Iranian ports. He also floated a 20 per cent fee on cargo transiting the waterway.

Iran had declared the strait closed on Sunday, after having opened it to shipping during negotiations with the United States for a final deal to permanently end the war. The Iranian legislature, which had been suspended since the war broke out in late February, resumed sessions on Monday.

Parliament is headed by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who also serves as chief negotiator in talks with Washington—a role that has raised his political profile. Some lawmakers oppose any negotiations with the United States and have expressed concern over having no say in the signing of the memorandum of understanding with Washington.