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Iran might impose transit charges on vessels passing by way of the Strait of Hormuz, charging international locations for delivery, vitality transport, and meals provides.
Ships passing by way of the Strait of Hormuz. (Picture: reuters)
Iran is contemplating a proposal to levy transit charges on vessels passing by way of the Strait of Hormuz, a lawmaker mentioned on Thursday, a possible bid to monetise Tehran’s newfound grip over the crucial waterway by way of which a fifth of world oil and liquefied gasoline passes.
For the reason that begin of the US-Israeli struggle on Iran, Tehran has disrupted maritime transit by way of the strait for vessels it says are linked to its struggle adversaries and their allies.
Based on the Iranian College students’ Information Company, the lawmaker mentioned parliament was contemplating a invoice beneath which international locations utilizing the strait for delivery, vitality transit and meals provides could be required to pay tolls and taxes to Iran.
An adviser to Iran’s supreme chief mentioned “a brand new regime for the Strait of Hormuz” will observe the struggle’s eventual finish, permitting Tehran to use maritime restrictions on states which have sanctioned it.
Since late February, at the very least 20 service provider vessels have been attacked in or close to the strait, with a number of tankers hit by drones and missiles, set ablaze or pressured to desert voyages.
Particular person incidents embrace container ships and bulk carriers struck by drones or missiles, forcing crew evacuations and triggering fires onboard.
The sustained assaults have dramatically decreased site visitors by way of the slender 33km vast passage, with tanker motion dropping sharply and lots of of vessels both stranded or rerouted. Some estimates recommend over 1,000 ships have been blocked or delayed as a result of battle.
Regardless of the dangers, Iran has continued to selectively permit sure shipments, significantly oil sure for China and India, whereas limiting entry to Western-linked vessels, successfully turning the strait right into a managed hall.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied pure gasoline shipments, making it the only most necessary vitality transit route globally.
Main producers, together with Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, Kuwait and Iran, rely closely on it to entry international markets, whereas practically 80% of those vitality exports are destined for Asian economies.
March 19, 2026, 16:11 IST
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