Iran advances Strait of Hormuz bill as U.S. weighs next steps in war
Wertynews.com – Iran’s parliament has moved a proposed Strait of Hormuz measure through committee review, setting up a full parliamentary debate over legislation that would formalize Tehran’s claimed authority over commercial shipping in one of the world’s most consequential energy corridors.
The proposed measure, titled the “Strategic Action Plan for Ensuring Security and Sustainable Development of the Strait of Hormuz,” would impose charges on vessels using the waterway and establish new restrictions on ships connected to countries Iran considers hostile. The legislation remains far from taking effect: it must first pass a vote of the full parliament, then undergo review by the Guardian Council and other Iranian authorities.
Proposed rules would reshape vessel access
Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesperson for parliament’s National Security Commission, said the bill is intended to maintain Iranian oversight of traffic through the strait in keeping with national security and national-interest concerns.
Commercial ships could face fees for navigation, environmental protection, bunkering and fuel-related services. The proposal would also bar vessels tied to Israel, nations designated hostile by Tehran, countries that have undertaken military action against Iran, and ships carrying military cargo.
Even vessels from countries not classified as hostile would need authorization from Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces before entering the passage, Ghashghavi said.
The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is a central route for oil and gas exports. Disruption there can quickly affect energy supplies, shipping schedules and fuel prices far beyond the region. Iran has repeatedly struck tankers and other vessels it says crossed the strait without permission, sharply constraining the movement of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf since the war began.
The Trump administration has rejected Tehran’s assertion that it will control the strait in the future, along with Iran’s demand that commercial vessels receive its approval before making transit.
Additional Patriot systems sent to Gulf states
The United States has deployed two more Patriot missile batteries to Saudi Arabia and Qatar to help defend oil and gas infrastructure. The move reflects concern that attacks on energy facilities could widen the economic effects of the conflict, particularly if Iran retaliates against regional partners hosting or supporting U.S. operations.
In August, President Trump considered possible strikes on Iranian energy and civilian infrastructure. Saudi Arabia and Qatar urged him not to issue such an order, fearing that Iran could respond with attacks on their own oil and gas facilities.
Mr. Trump has recently raised the prospect of renewed American military strikes after the November midterm elections. In comments to TIME magazine, he said peace with Iran might not be possible.
“With Iran, I don’t think you could ever have peace.”
Speaking Thursday, Mr. Trump said he was working to bring the conflict to a rapid conclusion. He described Iran as “ready to fold up” and said he expected the United States to win the war shortly after the election, or potentially before voters go to the polls.
“Ensuring that Iran will be very quickly ended.”
The timing of any further escalation remains uncertain. The president’s remarks place the U.S. midterms at the center of the political calendar while military planners and regional governments confront immediate risks to shipping, energy production and civilian travel.
Iran-Iraq air travel expected to resume
Iran and Iraq are also seeking to restore direct flights disrupted after U.S. sanctions effectively prevented most nations and entities from cooperating with Iranian carriers.
Iraqi Ambassador to Tehran Yasser Abdul Zahra Al-Hajjaj said discussions with Iranian Transport Minister Farzaneh Sadegh focused on possible arrangements to overcome the aviation disruption created by U.S. pressure on air transportation.
The issue is particularly significant for the many pilgrims, students and business travelers who regularly move between the neighboring countries. Iran and Iraq also maintain broad economic and social connections, making prolonged flight cancellations a practical obstacle for families and businesses on both sides of the border.
“Flights between the two countries will resume soon.”
The United States announced a broad new round of sanctions against Iran in August, including measures affecting the country’s aviation sector. Those restrictions have prompted several countries to cancel air service to and from Iran.
Europe considers fuel-reserve release
European Union governments have discussed the possibility of releasing additional diesel reserves as pressure grows to limit fuel-price increases. During a Friday call, governments considered a French proposal for a coordinated release of 50 million barrels of diesel.
They also discussed a separate potential release of 50 million barrels of crude oil by countries belonging to the International Energy Agency. Such reserve releases are designed to add supply during periods of severe market disruption, though they do not eliminate the underlying risks posed by conflict near major export routes.
European participants additionally considered whether a diesel-reserve agreement should include a U.S. commitment not to impose a unilateral ban on diesel exports. The issue could continue to be discussed among G7 leaders.
For consumers and businesses, the competing developments illustrate how the conflict reaches beyond military operations. Shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, threats to Gulf energy sites, disrupted aviation links and discussions over emergency fuel stocks all point to the same broader concern: the war’s consequences can spread rapidly through global transport and energy markets.
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