Iranian lawmakers review bill that state media says could target U.S. and Israeli shipping through Strait of Hormuz

Iranian state media reported Thursday that Tehran could attempt to block U.S. and Israeli shipments from transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a move described as linked to a joint venture with Oman aimed at reopening the waterway to commercial traffic. The report said members of Iran’s parliament are reviewing a proposed bill that would bar “hostile” vessels from using the choke point, setting up a new legislative test of how Iran frames and manages maritime access in the region.

According to the report carried by The Hill, Iran’s approach would be tied to maritime control arrangements connected to the Oman venture, rather than a unilateral declaration alone. The article said the bill’s purpose, as characterized in the reporting, would be to define which vessels could be considered “hostile” and how those determinations would translate into restrictions at the Strait of Hormuz.

The report adds that the bill is being reviewed by lawmakers, but it did not provide details on the bill number, committee assignments, or a schedule for floor action. It also did not specify whether the measure would be limited to particular types of cargo, routes, or documentation, or how any restriction would be enforced against shipping operators and insurers.

The Strait of Hormuz is widely used for energy shipments, and government officials in multiple countries have warned that disruptions to traffic can affect fuel markets and raise shipping and insurance costs. In the context of the legislative review described in the report, the prospect of a defined pathway for blocking certain vessels would have practical implications for commercial navigation, enforcement authorities, and regional security posture.

The Hill’s account frames the proposal as an Iranian response within a broader confrontation environment involving the United States and Israel. It did not attribute the reporting to a U.S. or Israeli government position on whether any specific shipping segment would be targeted, nor did it identify any immediate operational changes by international carriers.

In Iran, legislation that restricts maritime movement could also raise questions about implementation, particularly what standard would be used to classify vessels as “hostile,” and what legal process would apply to decisions affecting shipping companies. The practical effect would likely depend on how the final text defines the relevant authority, the scope of restrictions, and any exemptions tied to navigation safety or humanitarian transit.

As the parliamentary review continues, the next step would be lawmakers’ consideration of the proposed bill and the publication of its text or amendments. Absent further official releases, it remains unclear whether the measure would pass in its current form, be narrowed, or be replaced by a different mechanism for handling transits through the Strait of Hormuz.