Tanzania, April 10 -- A senior Iranian lawmaker has said a parliamentary proposal could require ships passing through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to pay transit fees in Iran's national currency, the rial.

According to reports, the head of Iran's parliamentary National Security Commission indicated that the measure forms part of broader efforts to assert greater control over the key waterway, which handles a significant share of global oil shipments.

The proposal comes amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing disruption to shipping routes following recent conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

Tehran has already explored charging transit fees for vessels using the strait, with some reports suggesting pa...