Iran ‘is negotiating with Europe’ over the Strait of Hormuz

“After Chinese, Japanese and Pakistani ships safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz with the permission of the Iranian navy, some European countries are asking us to approve their vehicles moving on this sea route,” Iranian state television said. IRIB said today, but did not specify which countries they were.

Ebrahim Azizi, leader of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian parliament, said on the same day that Tehran has prepared a traffic management mechanism on the Strait of Hormuz and will soon announce it. According to him, only ships of parties cooperating with Iran will benefit and the country will collect fees for “special services provided according to the mechanism”.

No European country has yet spoken out about the information.

In peacetime, the Strait of Hormuz is a transit route for about 20% of global oil and natural gas.

After the war with the US – Israel broke out on February 28, Iran blocked most shipping activities on this vital waterway. Iran only reopened the Strait of Hormuz for a short time after the ceasefire on April 8. The US then announced a blockade of Iranian ports in response.

Vessels blocked in the area have a major impact on world markets, while also giving Iran a significant advantage in negotiations.

Tehran has repeatedly stated that maritime traffic through Hormuz “will not return to the pre-conflict state”. Iranian officials announced last month that they had received the first fee related to travel on this vital waterway.

Iran in recent days has also allowed dozens of ships, including Chinese vehicles, to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after a number of countries “reached an agreement on the strait management protocols”.