Iran’s parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission has approved new penalties for vessels that break transit regulations in the Strait of Hormuz. The move is part of legislative efforts to strengthen the country’s sovereign control over the strategic waterway, a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments.

The commission’s decision, reported by the state news agency IRNA, aims to formalize punitive measures for violations of the strait’s laws. The specific nature of the penalties was not detailed in the initial report.

This legislative step underscores Tehran’s intent to assert its authority over the narrow passage, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes. The development is likely to be closely monitored by international shipping interests and regional powers.