Iran Confirms Strait Of Hormuz Transit Fees, Promises Preferential Rates For Friendly Nations

Iran plans to introduce service fees for commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

After the expiry of a temporary US-brokered arrangement, while offering preferential treatment to countries that supported Tehran during its recent conflict, Iran’s ambassador to China said on Saturday.

Speaking at the World Peace Forum in Beijing, Ambassador Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said Tehran was working with Oman to establish a new framework for managing traffic through one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.

His remarks come despite the United States opposing any move by Iran to levy charges on vessels transiting the strategically vital waterway.

Under the ceasefire understanding that helped end the recent conflict between Iran and the US, commercial ships have been allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without paying any charges for 60 days. It remains unclear what mechanism will replace that temporary arrangement once the grace period expires.

‘Not A Toll’

Fazli said Iran’s proposed fees should not be viewed as a transit toll but as payment for services provided to vessels using the strait.

“As a country where the Hormuz is part of its territorial waters, we will definitely charge service fees,” he said.

According to the ambassador, the charges would cover services such as ensuring safe navigation, monitoring maritime traffic and addressing the environmental impact of heavy shipping activity.

He also indicated that Tehran would extend favourable terms to countries it believes stood by Iran during the conflict.

“We will definitely consider special treatment for the countries that were friendly to us and especially stood by us during the hard times,” Fazli said.

Key Global Shipping Route

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints, handling nearly one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports.

The waterway was largely closed during the recent Middle East conflict, disrupting global shipping and driving up international energy prices.

Iran reopened the route after reaching an initial agreement with the United States to halt hostilities. Negotiations between the two countries on a longer-term settlement are continuing, with the future framework governing commercial transit through the strait yet to be finalised.