Iran Heads to Pass Law on Strait of Hormuz

Iranian media reported on Saturday that the Iranian parliament is moving to approve a new law that places strict restrictions on the movement of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, in an escalatory step coinciding with the stalling of the political path between Tehran and Washington. The Iranian channel Press TV quoted Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Ali Nikzad, detailing a proposed plan consisting of 12 articles, which stipulates "absolutely prohibiting ships linked to enemies from passing through the Strait." The largest container shipping company plans a route that avoids the Strait of Hormuz - website 24. The world's largest container shipping company plans a new service connecting Europe with isolated Middle East ports, using trucking and smaller vessels in the Arabian Gulf instead of crossing the closed Strait of Hormuz. The draft also obliges ships of "hostile nations," in an implicit reference to the United States, to pay "war reparations" as a prerequisite for obtaining transit permits, while all other ships will have to obtain official permission from Iranian authorities before entering the strategic waterway. These legislative moves come at a time when talks between Tehran and Washington are witnessing significant stalling, as both sides adhere to their positions.