Iran considers charging fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz

“Parliamentarians in parliament are pursuing a plan in which countries will pay fees and taxes to Iran to use the Strait of Hormuz as a safe route for transportation, energy and food security,” ISNA news agency quoted Iranian parliamentarian Somayeh Rafiei as saying today.

According to her, Iran will use “strength, authority and prestige” to ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz. “In return, countries will have to pay taxes,” congressman Rafiei added.

The Iranian military today also repeated its warning that it will destroy the region’s energy infrastructure if Tehran’s facilities continue to be attacked.

“The enemy made a serious mistake by attacking Iran’s energy infrastructure. Our response is ongoing and has not ended. If you continue to act, attacks on energy infrastructure will not stop until they are completely destroyed. Our response will be much more intense,” said Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command of the Iranian army.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes, remains largely blockaded by Iran, driving up energy prices and raising concerns about inflation. A number of oil tankers have recently passed through the strait safely, seemingly receiving “special treatment” from Iran, but the number is much lower than before the outbreak of hostilities.

Iranian parliament speaker Bagher Ghalibaf said on March 17 that maritime activities in the Strait of Hormuz will “not be able to return to the pre-conflict state”. New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei also affirmed that “the lever to block the Strait of Hormuz must definitely be used”.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) estimated on March 18 that nearly 20,000 sailors and about 3,200 ships are stuck in these waters.

The UK Maritime Trade Coordination Center (UKMTO) said more than 20 ships have been attacked in the area around the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman since the war between Israel – US and Iran broke out on February 28.

Gulf and Western countries strongly criticized Tehran, while Iranian officials responded that the current situation was due to “the US and Israel using force and illegal military aggression”.

US President Donald Trump last week proposed a plan to send warships to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but this idea was firmly rejected by European allies.