Iran says it will charge Hormuz service fees

Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the country plans to charge maritime service fees, rather than levy tolls, on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz once the strategic waterway is reopened, according to media reports.

Speaking to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that Tehran does not intend to impose transit tolls on vessels using the strait. Instead, the fees would cover services such as navigational assistance, environmental protection measures, ship insurance and other maritime support jointly offered by Iran and Oman.

"We have consistently maintained that we are not seeking to collect transit tolls," Baghaei said, adding that charges would only be levied to offset the costs of services provided. He described the matter as "quite clear."

The remarks come amid discussions over the future operation of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy shipping routes. US Vice President JD Vance earlier said that Washington expects the waterway to remain open to toll-free transit in the long term, according to CNBC.