Iran Parliament Approves New Transit Fees For Ships Crossing Strait Of Hormuz

Iran's Parliament has approved a motion to charge ships for services provided while passing through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, the semi-official Mehr News Agency reported on Sunday. The measure would allow Iran to collect fees from vessels belonging to countries authorised to transit the waterway. The move comes amid continued tensions involving Iran and growing international attention on the security of one of the world's most important maritime routes for energy shipments.

According to the report, the fees would be collected from ships receiving services while navigating the Strait of Hormuz. Hassan Qashqavi, spokesperson for Iran's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said payments could be made in Iranian rials or another currency chosen by Iran. The proposal is part of a broader measure described as the Strategic Action Plan to Ensure Security and Progress in the Strait of Hormuz.

Parliament approved Article 3 of the plan, under which Iran would charge fees for a range of maritime and related services. Qashqavi said these services include maritime assistance, environmental services, fuelling under special conditions, insurance and safety-related services. Other services provided by Iran would also fall within the scope of the fee structure. The measure, according to the report, also emphasises the rights, sovereignty and national security of countries bordering the strategic waterway.

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The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. A substantial share of global oil and gas shipments passes through the waterway, making its security important to energy markets and countries dependent on Gulf exports. Any disruption or uncertainty surrounding navigation through the strait can therefore have implications well beyond the region, potentially affecting shipping costs, insurance premiums and global energy prices.

The parliamentary move comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions involving Iran and Western countries. Tehran has previously warned that continued economic pressure could lead it to target Gulf oil exports and US economic interests. The latest fee plan does not itself announce a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, but it adds another measure involving Iran's authority over maritime activity in and around the waterway.

Qashqavi said the fee provisions would apply to ships from countries authorised to pass through the strait. The statement suggests that the proposed system would be linked to services provided by Iran rather than automatically applying to every vessel attempting to transit the waterway. Details about the level of the fees, the mechanism for collecting them and the countries or vessels that would qualify for passage were not provided in the report.

The decision also places emphasis on the sovereignty and security interests of the littoral states bordering the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has consistently maintained that regional countries have a central role in determining security arrangements in the Gulf and surrounding waterways. By incorporating references to national security and the rights of littoral states into the approved provision, Tehran is reinforcing its position that maritime activity in the region should take account of the interests and authority of countries located along the waterway.

For international shipping operators, the practical impact of the measure will depend on how Iran implements the fee system. Questions remain over which services will be charged, how payments will be assessed and whether the policy will alter the cost or procedures associated with transiting the strait. Shipping companies operating in the region are likely to closely monitor any regulations or instructions issued following the parliamentary approval.

The approval comes at a time when the Strait of Hormuz remains under close international scrutiny because of its importance to global energy trade. Iran's latest parliamentary action does not amount to a declaration that the waterway will be closed, but it signals Tehran's intention to exercise greater control over services connected with maritime passage. Further details from Iranian authorities will be needed to determine how the measure will operate and what effect it could have on commercial shipping.

The Iranian Parliament's approval of the fee plan therefore adds a new dimension to the country's maritime policy. By authorising charges for maritime, environmental, fuelling, insurance and safety services, Tehran is seeking to formalise payments associated with services provided to vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The move is likely to be closely watched by Gulf states, international shipping companies and governments because of the waterway's central role in global energy transportation.

Also Read: Iran Signals Offensive in Hormuz if Diplomatic Efforts With Washington Fail, Officials Say