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Iran Plans New Strait of Hormuz Fees, Bars US & Israeli Warships

Iran is drafting legislation to impose new fees tied to security coordination for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, rather than traditional transit charges. Iranian officials state that passage will only be allowed through designated routes and with prior authorization from Tehran. The policy explicitly bars "hostile military vessels" from the United States and Israel from transiting the strategic waterway. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump stated any agreement with Iran would not take effect until fully finalized, despite claiming diplomatic breakthroughs.

Key Points: Iran's New Fees for Strait of Hormuz Passage

  • New security-based fees proposed
  • US & Israeli warships barred
  • Passage requires Iranian coordination
  • Control linked to regional tensions
  • Trump claims deal not final
3 min read

Won't impose 'traditional fees' on passage of ships through Hormuz, says Iran: Reports

Iran announces new security fees for ships in the Strait of Hormuz, bars US and Israeli military vessels, and asserts full control over the critical waterway.

"Passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be conducted based on the 'designated route' and with 'Iranian authorisation.' - Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf"

Tehran, April 18

Iran has said that it will not impose "traditional fees" on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but is considering a new framework tied to security coordination, according to Al Jazeera.

Speaking to Al Jazeera Mubasher, the spokesman for Iran's National Security Committee, Ebrahim Rezaei, said Tehran is drafting legislation that would introduce fees related to "securing the strait", rather than conventional transit charges.

Rezaei stated that vessels would only be allowed to pass through the critical waterway in coordination with Iranian authorities, signalling tighter oversight of maritime traffic. He added that "hostile military vessels", particularly those from the United States and Israel, would be barred from passage entirely, while "friendly" ships could transit subject to prior coordination with Iranian forces.

He also emphasised that Iran rejects any role for the United States in managing or securing the strait.

Meanwhile, Iran's ISNA news agency reported comments from Iranian official Mahmoud Nabavian, who said some commercial ships may be permitted to cross the Strait of Hormuz after paying fees. Nabavian linked the potential reopening of the passage to a ceasefire in Lebanon, despite US President Donald Trump denying that the two issues were associated.

Iran has asserted that maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz will be strictly controlled by Tehran, stating that passage will be allowed only through designated routes and under Iranian approval, amid escalating tensions with the United States over regional security and negotiations.

Speaker of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said, "4- Passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be conducted based on the 'designated route' and with 'Iranian authorisation.' 5- Whether the Strait is open or closed and the regulations governing it will be determined by the field, not by social media."

On the other hand, US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) said that any agreement with Iran would not take full effect until it is completely finalised, even as he claimed major diplomatic and security breakthroughs involving Tehran, Israel and Lebanon.

While speaking on ongoing developments in West Asia at the Turning Point USA event in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump said, "This will be a great and brilliant day for the world because Iran has just announced that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open and ready for business and full passage. But the naval blockade with the greatest navy in the world, from the greatest military the world has ever seen, we built it. During my first term, we built it...We'll remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100 % complete and fully signed"

Earlier, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei offered clarification on an earlier statement by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Al Jazeera reported, citing the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

According to Al Jazeera, Baghaei said that "Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will be allowed along a pre-determined route by Iran." He added, "If the maritime blockade of Iran's ports continues, Iran will take reciprocal measures," and asserted that "Iran is the guardian of the Strait of Hormuz and will show leniency where necessary."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The linking of the strait's passage to a ceasefire in Lebanon is concerning. It creates unnecessary complications. Maritime security and regional conflicts should be dealt with separately. This kind of linkage makes everything more volatile.
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Rohit P
Honestly, it just sounds like a fee by another name. "Security coordination" instead of "traditional fees". Our imports and exports via that route are massive. The government needs to engage proactively to ensure our trade isn't held hostage by this new framework. Jai Hind!
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Ananya R
The posturing from both sides is worrying. Trump's "greatest navy" comments and Iran's "guardian of the strait" stance. This isn't about social media, as their Speaker said, it's about real-world consequences for global trade. We need stable energy prices for our economic growth.
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Karthik V
From an Indian perspective, we have good relations with Iran and also need to maintain ties with the US. It's a tightrope walk. Our diplomacy must work overtime to ensure the Chabahar port project and our oil imports aren't affected. A delicate balance is required.
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Michael C
While I understand Iran's desire for control and security in its adjacent waters, the implementation details matter most. What does "prior coordination" actually entail? If it's streamlined and fair, it might work. If it's bureaucratic and slow, it will become a major bottleneck for world commerce.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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