Iran has announced that international ships passing through the strategically important strait will soon be required to pay service charges. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said that while international maritime laws do not allow the country to impose transit tolls on vessels, it is legally permitted to collect fees for services provided to ships.According to Iranian officials, the detailed regulations regarding these service charges will be released in coordination with Oman, which shares responsibility for the waterway. The new rules are expected to outline the types of services covered and the payment procedures for commercial and international vessels.The strait is one of the world’s busiest maritime routes and plays a crucial role in global trade, especially for the transportation of crude oil and natural gas from the Middle East to international markets. Thousands of cargo ships and oil tankers use the passage every year, making it a key link in the global supply chain.Experts believe that any additional fees or operational changes in the region could increase shipping costs and may have an indirect impact on global energy prices and international trade. However, Iran has clarified that the proposed charges are service-related and not transit tolls, in line with international maritime regulations.Further details on the implementation of the service fee system are expected after the joint guidelines are officially announced by Iran and Oman.
