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Iran Lawmaker Reportedly Says Hormuz Bill Would Put Strait Under Armed Forces Control

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Iran could place the Strait of Hormuz under armed forces control and restrict certain vessels under a proposed security bill, Ebrahim Rezaei said Wednesday, according to multiple media reports.

Rezaei, a member of Iran's parliament's national security and foreign policy committee, said the proposed Strait of Hormuz Security bill would place the Armed Forces General Staff in charge of managing, monitoring and inspecting the waterway.

The proposal would bar ships that Iran considers hostile, involved in espionage, or a threat to national security from entering the waterway, Rezaei said, according to the reports.

Rezaei reportedly said the Armed Forces General Staff would also set transit tolls and service fees for vessels crossing the strait, while Iran considers a system to collect those payments in rials.

Rezaei added Iran could raise tariffs or seize assets belonging to a government it considers responsible if that state harms Iranian interests anywhere in the world.

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately reply to' request for comment.

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