Kathmandu . Iran has drafted a new bill for foreign ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. In the draft, Tehran has proposed to ban the entry of Israeli and United States ships and impose taxes on other foreign ships. Tehran has interpreted it as a step to strengthen its sovereignty and maritime security.

Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said at a ceremony in Tehran that it would be passed as a “preventive law” after the legislature resumes.

“The bill is ready,” he said, adding that “a series of meetings have been held on this issue with relevant officials in the country, including the Foreign Ministry, ports and maritime organizations.”

Noting that Iran has always been in favor of safe and free movement in this important waterway, he said the presence of US troops and Israeli activities are the main reasons for instability in the region.

“This bill of the Iranian parliament is aimed at strengthening Iran’s sovereignty in the Strait of Hormuz,” Azizi explained, adding, “The presence of the US military and the Israeli aggression have become the main source of insecurity and instability in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.”

According to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, there were sporadic clashes between Iranian and US forces in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. AFP