Tehran, Aug 2026 : Iran’s Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee has approved the broad framework of a strategic action plan aimed at ensuring the security and sustainable development of the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Gulf region, amid continuing tensions over maritime security and Iran’s relations with the United States.
The general outlines of the plan were approved unanimously during a committee meeting, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported, quoting committee spokesperson Hassan Qashqavi. He said lawmakers examined proposals and recommendations submitted by relevant Iranian institutions before endorsing the overall framework of the legislation.
The proposed legislation was formally introduced in Parliament on July 13. Its approval comes against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime passages and a key route for global energy shipments.
Iran tightened restrictions on maritime traffic through the strait on February 28, preventing the safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States, following joint strikes by the two countries on Iranian territory.
Tensions escalated further in July after the US military carried out multiple waves of strikes against Iranian targets. Washington said the operations were intended to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and were launched in response to Iranian attacks on vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes against US military bases and facilities in the region, adding to concerns over the safety of commercial shipping and the potential impact on international energy markets.
Against this backdrop, Iran and Oman have been engaged in discussions over the past several weeks to establish a new designated maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz to facilitate safer navigation and the movement of commercial vessels.
The proposed strategic action plan is expected to provide a broader framework for Iran’s approach to security and maritime activity in the Strait and the Gulf. Its approval by the parliamentary committee could pave the way for further legislative consideration.
Meanwhile, prospects for renewed diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington remain uncertain.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Aragchi recently said that there are currently no direct negotiations between Iran and the United States. Speaking to reporters at the Centre for Political and International Studies of Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Aragchi said intermediaries were continuing efforts to explore possibilities for restarting talks.
According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, Aragchi maintained that Tehran would not agree to resume negotiations until Washington ends what Iran describes as violations of a memorandum of understanding and addresses the breaches it has allegedly committed.
“We currently have no negotiations with the United States,” Aragchi said, adding that intermediaries were still attempting to find a way to revive the diplomatic process.
He stressed that Iran’s position remained unchanged, saying negotiations could not resume until the United States stopped violating the memorandum and made amends for the alleged breaches.
The latest parliamentary move comes at a sensitive time for the region, with maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz closely linked to wider tensions between Iran, the United States and their regional partners. Any disruption to shipping through the strategic waterway could have wider implications for global trade and energy supplies.
The approval of the strategic plan signals Tehran’s intention to strengthen its institutional and security framework for managing developments in the Strait while diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions remain stalled.
