The National Security Commission of the Iranian Parliament has officially approved the “Strait of Hormuz Management Plan,” a move that significantly escalates tensions in a region already grappling with a high-stakes military standoff. This new legislative framework includes the implementation of a rial-based toll system for vessels navigating the critical waterway, while explicitly banning the passage of American and Israeli ships. According to Iranian state media, the plan is designed to reinforce Tehran’s sovereign role over the corridor, outlining specific security arrangements, ship safety protocols, and environmental protection measures. Crucially, the policy also prohibits passage for any country participating in unilateral sanctions against Iran, a move seen as a direct challenge to the Western-led economic pressure campaign. The announcement comes at a volatile moment, as the conflict between Iran and the U.S.-Israeli coalition enters its second month, highlighting Tehran’s resolve to weaponize its geographical advantage over one of the world’s most vital energy arteries.
In response to these developments, the United States has signaled its intention to reclaim authority over the strategic chokepoint to ensure the freedom of global navigation. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently emphasized that while some nations have made individual deals with the Iranian regime to allow their ships to pass, the United States ultimately plans to retake control through American or multinational naval escorts. Simultaneously, President Donald Trump has issued a severe ultimatum via social media, warning that if the Strait is not immediately “open for business,” the U.S. will target Iran’s core civilian energy infrastructure. The President specifically threatened the “complete obliteration” of electric generating plants, oil wells, and the vital Kharg Island oil terminal if a diplomatic resolution is not reached shortly. This rapid cycle of legislative defiance from Tehran and military threats from Washington has placed global markets on edge, as the possibility of a full-scale energy war looms over the international community.
