According to a report by Al Jazeera, on Monday April 27, 2026, Iranian military forces are pursuing authority to prohibit the passage of hostile vessels through the Strait of Hormuz as part of new legislation being developed to govern the strategic waterway, a senior official has announced.….......
The head of Iran’s national security commission, Ebrahim Azizi, disclosed the plans during a state television interview, explaining that the proposed law would grant the Iranian army formal responsibility for managing the strait. He emphasized that armed forces currently maintain control over the waterway and are working to restrict access by vessels deemed hostile to Iranian interests.
The strait, which connects the Persian Gulf to international waters, serves as a vital artery for global oil transportation, with millions of barrels of petroleum passing through its waters daily. Iran’s move to formalize military control through legislation represents a notable step in asserting its authority over the waterway.
Under the terms of the proposed legislation, as outlined by Azizi, financial proceeds generated from the strait’s operations would be collected in Iranian rial. While the official did not elaborate on the specific mechanisms for generating these profits, the inclusion of financial provisions suggests the law may establish new revenue streams related to the waterway’s management.
The announcement that Iranian forces are actively seeking to prohibit hostile vessel passage could have implications for international maritime traffic and regional security dynamics. Iran has historically viewed the strait as falling within its sphere of influence, given its geographic position along the waterway’s southern shore.
Azizi’s comments indicate that the proposed law would codify existing military practices rather than represent an entirely new approach, as he stated that Iranian armed forces already exercise control over the strait. However, the formal legislative framework could provide additional legal backing for Iranian military actions in the waterway.
The timing and details of the proposed law’s introduction to parliament remain unclear, with Azizi not providing information about the legislative timeline or the complete scope of the measure’s provisions.
