Iran is drafting legislation to impose transit fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to reports from Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, citing an unnamed parliament member, the Iranian parliament is drafting a bill aimed at “levying tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for security guarantees.” The report states that the proposal is expected to be finalized next week. Fars News Agency quoted the parliament member as saying that Iran provides security for the Strait of Hormuz, and that “ships and oil tankers paying such tolls is only natural.” Prior to Iran’s official implementation of toll collection, there were reports that the country had already allowed multiple ships to pass through the strait on the condition of paying tolls.