The Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (TCCIMA) has proposed enhancing the role of Iran’s private sector in the governance of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for global energy and trade flows. This initiative was discussed during the 12th meeting of TCCIMA’s Corporate Governance Committee, held recently with participation from Fada Hossein Maleki, a member of Iran’s Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Committee.

During the session, members reviewed the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Persian Gulf region amid ongoing regional uncertainties. The committee highlighted the need for active private sector involvement in policymaking to improve economic governance, strengthen trade resilience, and optimize the waterway's geo-economic potential.

Hassan Forouzanfar, head of the Corporate Governance Committee, underlined the influence of regional developments on Iran’s commercial environment. He noted that with over 100,000 chamber members engaged in various sectors, the private sector's awareness and preparedness are essential for managing risks and maintaining continuity in economic activities.

Davoud Khani, a committee expert, presented findings on the economic impact of the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing its role as a vital energy transit route. He stated that changes in the governance of the strait could affect not only the energy sector but also transportation costs, insurance premiums, supply chains, and international trade flows. Khani outlined three possible scenarios for the region: continued instability, escalation of tensions, and the establishment of broader agreements. He stressed that government, private entities, and specialized institutions must adopt forward-looking strategies to address these potential outcomes.

Maleki praised the chamber’s expert analyses and advocated for greater integration of private sector expertise into economic decision-making. He identified underutilization of economic actors as a key challenge and argued that leveraging private sector experience could enhance policy effectiveness. Maleki emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz should be viewed through an economic lens in addition to security considerations, highlighting the importance of trade development, investment, and value creation opportunities linked to the waterway.

He pointed to Iran’s advantageous geographic position, including its access to open waters and proximity to neighboring countries, as factors that could be harnessed through coordinated planning. Maleki called for advancing economic cooperation with neighboring states, capitalizing on the southern Makran coast, developing the Chabahar port, and enhancing regional transport corridors to bolster Iran’s role in international commerce.

Addressing institutional responsibilities, Maleki proposed a clear division of roles: the government should focus on policymaking and regulation, the private sector on investment and operational execution, and specialized institutions on providing technical expertise to inform decisions. He also underscored the potential for modern financial instruments to lower transaction costs and accelerate trade activities.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the need for ongoing collaboration among Parliament, government entities, and the private sector to translate expert proposals into effective governance models for the Strait of Hormuz. Diako Hosseini, deputy for economic and future studies at TCCIMA, added that regional developments should be analyzed beyond political and security dimensions, noting their implications for trade routes and Iran’s regional economic position. He stressed the importance of diversifying Iran’s foreign trade structure and expanding partnerships with neighboring countries amid persistent uncertainty in the Persian Gulf region.