TEHRAN, March 31 – Tehran is moving to impose transit fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, as the United States and Israel intensify military pressure and threats against Iran, raising fresh concerns over global energy security and the risk of further escalation.
The conflict entered its 31st day on Monday, with both sides stepping up military operations. Iran’s parliament advanced a bill that would impose transit fees on ships passing through the vital waterway and bar vessels linked to the US and Israel, while Washington warned it could “completely destroy” Iran’s oil infrastructure if no agreement is reached.
Israel signals shift toward economic targets
The Israel Defense Forces said on Monday night it had completed another round of strikes targeting Iran’s military-industrial facilities, hitting around 170 sites over the past 24 hours.
Israeli officials also said that, after a month of fighting, most initial military objectives have been achieved, with operations now entering a “final phase.” Political leaders have reportedly instructed the military to shift focus toward Iran’s economic assets, signaling a potential broadening of targets beyond purely military infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had launched multiple waves of attacks under its ongoing “True Promise-4” campaign, targeting US and Israeli-linked facilities across the region, including sites in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Iran also claimed to have shot down two MQ-9 drones over Isfahan.
Tehran has come under increasingly frequent and intense air strikes in recent days. CMG correspondent Zhao Bing in Jerusalem reported that Israel’s “race-against-time” strike pattern reflects a narrowing political window. With concerns that a US-Iran ceasefire could materialize, Israel appears to be accelerating operations to maximize damage to Iran’s strategic assets before any diplomatic breakthrough.
He added in a live report that despite Israeli claims of degrading Iran’s launch capabilities, near-daily missile fire from Iran continues to trigger air raid sirens across Israel. He said recent instances of interception failures have exposed strains on Israeli air defense systems. In addition, media reports indicate that amid the high-intensity attrition, the Israeli military is increasingly rationing its advanced Arrow-3 interceptors and relying more on mid-range systems.
Iran tightens grip on vital oil chokepoint
Amid intensifying Israel and US strikes, Iran is tightening its grip on vital oil chokepoint: the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly one-fifth of global seaborne oil trade, a critical artery for energy markets.
On Monday, Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee approved a bill proposing to charge vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The legislation would establish a formal fee system – potentially denominated in Iranian rials – while reinforcing the authority of Iran and its armed forces over the waterway and denying access to ships from countries imposing unilateral sanctions on Tehran. It also includes coordination with Oman on a legal framework governing the strait.
Analysts warn that if implemented, the move could push global oil prices higher even after hostilities subside.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would not allow Iran to exert long-term control over the waterway or impose fees, warning of “serious consequences” if Tehran attempts to block or restrict access.
