Iran’s ambassador to China says Iran plans to introduce service fees for commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, while offering “special treatment” to countries it describes as friendly. The ambassador, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, says the fees would apply because Hormuz is part of Iran’s territorial waters and frames the proposal as service charges rather than a “toll.” He links the move to arrangements intended to support security of passage, supervision of vessel movement, and management of environmental impacts from heavy shipping traffic.
The comments come amid uncertainty over what happens after a temporary arrangement in an initial Iran–United States deal ends. The agreement provides for free transit for commercial ships for 60 days, but sources say it is unclear what fees or terms would replace that period.
Washington rejects the idea of Iran charging new fees. The Iranian envoy also says Iran is working with Oman on “new arrangements” for the waterway. He adds that Iran would consider special treatment for countries that supported it during difficult times.
