Ebrahim Azizi, head of the national security commission in Iran's parliament, told state television that the armed forces were already in control of the strait and were seeking to prohibit the passage of "hostile vessels." Azizi also said the proposed law states that financial gains from the strait should be paid in the local rial currency.

The announcement follows a statement made by Azizi on Sunday via X. Sharing a clip from an interview with Greek National Television, he proclaimed the end of a "47-year era of hospitality" and asserted that all ships wishing to pass must pay fees under a "new maritime regime."

In response to the US-Israeli war on Iran that began on 28 February, Iran has blocked vessels linked to the United States, Israel and their "hostile allies." Despite recently lifting its blockade, it has reversed its decision after the US refused to lift its own blockade on Iranian ports.

All this comes as it was revealed on Monday that Iran presented a new proposal to the United States to reopen the Strait and end the war, while postponing nuclear negotiations to a later stage, a US official and two sources familiar with the matter told Axios.

The Iranian offer, delivered via Pakistani mediators, suggests a phased de-escalation where the maritime blockade is lifted in exchange for the US ending its own blockade of Iranian ports.

The new Iranian proposal comes as peace efforts between Tehran and Washington remain uncertain after a series of regional diplomatic moves and the collapse of planned talks in Islamabad. Despite the friction, mediators are still working to keep negotiations alive.

However, US President Donald Trump signaled on Monday that he prefers to maintain the blockade as leverage and dismissed the idea that the US needed to make concessions to bring Iran back to the table.

Amid these tensions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia on Monday for high-level talks with President Vladimir Putin. Speaking to Iranian media upon his arrival, Araghchi emphasized the strategic nature of the visit.

"I am confident that these consultations and coordination between the two countries in this regard will be of particular importance," Araghchi said, according to Al Jazeera. He noted that his meeting with Putin later in the day would provide "a good opportunity to discuss developments in the war and review the latest situation."

Araghchi's arrival in Moscow follows recent diplomatic missions to Oman and Pakistan, where he held discussions with officials attempting to mediate an end to the war. However, the withdrawal of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner from scheduled talks in Pakistan has raised significant doubts about the current diplomatic track.

The trip was reportedly scrapped after Iranian state television signaled that Araghchi had no plans to meet US officials in Islamabad.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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