Key facts
- Iran plans to charge service fees for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
- Friendly nations will receive preferential fee treatment.
- The fees aim to cover security, passage supervision, and environmental impact.
- This comes after an initial deal with the U.S. to waive fees for 60 days.
- Iran is collaborating with Oman on new arrangements for the waterway.
Iran's ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, announced that new service fees will be implemented for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at the World Peace Forum in Beijing, Fazli assured that nations considered "friendly" to Iran would receive special treatment regarding these charges.
Fazli stated that Iran, as a country whose territorial waters include the Strait, will levy these fees, which he clarified would not be considered a "toll." The arrangements are intended to guarantee the security of passage, supervise vessel movements, and address environmental consequences arising from the high volume of ship traffic. The announcement follows an initial agreement between Iran and the United States to waive transit fees for commercial ships for a period of 60 days, though the status after this period remains unclear.
Iran is reportedly working in cooperation with Oman on these new arrangements for the vital waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global chokepoint, carrying approximately one-fifth of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas. During past conflicts, Iran has previously closed the strait, leading to significant surges in energy prices.