Iran says it will charge service fees, not tolls, in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran wants to impose what it says are "service fees" on ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for ensuring the vessels' safety, rather than "tolls."

The Middle Eastern country "does not seek to charge passage fees, transit taxes or transit duties", Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said in an interview with the semi-official Mehr news agency on Thursday (4).

Instead, the country will seek compensation for services provided jointly with Oman, including navigation assistance, search and rescue, safety and security services and environmental clean-up services in the event of pollution, Gharibabadi said.

The strategic waterway "is entirely within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman", highlighted the deputy minister, saying that these governments have sovereignty over the strait "in accordance with international law and the law of the sea".

He also pointed out that the agreements being drawn up will be consistent with international law, but acknowledged that "they will not be 100% satisfactory for some countries".

Regarding negotiations with the US, Gharibabadi said there had been "considerable progress" in drafting a peace proposal, but refused to set a timetable for a possible agreement.

"I really can't give a deadline at this point... We will finalize a text that is capable of meeting and guaranteeing our interests," he said.

Understand how tension in Hormuz affects ceasefire between the US and Iran

Source: CNN