Iran Parliament approves fee plan for ships passing through Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Parliament on Sunday approved a motion to charge ships for receiving services in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency reported.Iran approves motion to levy fees on ships in Strait of Hormuz. (PTI)A spokesperson for Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission said that fees will be collected from ships of countries authorised to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, in rials or any other currency desired by Iran.ALSO READ | ‘Entering endgame’: US treasury secretary Bessent announces 'economic D-Day' for IranFees for maritime and other servicesThe spokesperson, Hassan Qashqavi, told reporters that Article 3 of the Strategic Action Plan to Ensure Security and Progress in the Strait of Hormuz was approved by the parliament, based on which “a fee will be charged for services including maritime services, environmental services, fuelling in special conditions, insurance, safety, and other services that we provide.” The report said that the article upholds the rights, sovereignty and national security of littoral states.Iran warns of wider economic retaliationOn Saturday, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, warned that if economic pressure on Tehran continues, the Iranian government will target the oil exports of the Persian Gulf countries, the economic interests of the United States, and countries allied with Washington.ALSO READ | Iran admits facing 'many problems' amid Trump's 'economic' warfare, says MoU with US best way out of conflictIn an interview to IRIB, Rezaei conditioned the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on a change in American behaviour, saying that a possible agreement between Tehran and Muscat on determining a shipping route does not in itself mean the reopening of this waterway.He said: “The Strait of Hormuz is closed and will not open until America changes its behaviour and fulfils its obligations.” According to Rezaei, the talks between Iran and Oman are focused on determining a route in the middle section of the strait.ALSO READ | Iran war impact on upcoming US midterm elections worries RepublicansChina backs diplomatic solutionChina, meanwhile, said it continues to support a diplomatic end to the US-Iran war, in a delayed statement released shortly before the US is set to unveil measures to punish Tehran’s economic partners, Bloomberg reported.(With inputs from agencies)