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Iran will not restore shipping conditions to what they were before February 28, when Israel and the United States attacked Iran, Iranian leaders indicate. The move further complicates global energy markets already strained by the conflict.
“We are implementing a plan in parliament, and according to that plan, countries will pay duties and taxes to the Islamic Republic if the Strait of Hormuz is used as a safe transit, energy supply, and food security route,” Iranian lawmaker Somaji Rafiei was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency.
Iran will guarantee the strait’s security, “but countries must pay a tax for it,” the lawmaker stated.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been brought to a near standstill since the start of the war. The Strait is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, with roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passing through it, according to reports.
Iranian forces have targeted several vessels, stating they disregarded warnings about a ban on navigating the strategic waterway. The disruption has already sent oil prices soaring, currently hovering around $105.70 a barrel – more than 40 percent higher than before the conflict began on February 28, according to Al Jazeera.
Parliament Speaker Mohammads Baghers Galibafs said on Tuesday that maritime traffic “will not return to its previous state.” This announcement signals a long-term shift in Iran’s approach to controlling access through the Strait.
In recent days, Iran has allowed ships from countries friendly to Iran to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian representatives indicated, while warning that it would block vessels from nations that have joined the aggression against Iran. The development underscores growing regional tensions and the potential for further escalation.
At least five vessels exited Iranian waters through the Strait of Hormuz on March 15 and 16, according to data from shipping information company Windward. This limited passage suggests Iran is selectively enforcing its restrictions, potentially as a negotiating tactic.
