Iran seeks Hormuz transit fees after transition period, reports say

Iran will seek to charge commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz following a transition period as part of an agreement with the United States, Iranian media has reported.

After a 60-day grace period during which the ships would be allowed to pass free of charge, Iran intends to impose maritime service fees, the Tasnim news agency and other Iranian media outlets reported.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, speaking at his weekly news conference on Monday, did not explicitly confirm the plan.

Iran plans to charge commercial vessels for transiting the Strait of Hormuz after a 60-day grace period, as reported by Iranian media outlets.

Iran will seek to charge commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz following a transition period as part of an agreement with the United States, Iranian media has reported.

After a 60-day grace period during which the ships would be allowed to pass free of charge, Iran intends to impose maritime service fees, the Tasnim news agency and other Iranian media outlets reported.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, speaking at his weekly news conference on Monday, did not explicitly confirm the plan.

However, he reiterated Tehran's position that it intends to levy charges for navigation services and environmental protection measures.

Any such fees would run counter to international maritime law. They would also seem to contradict US President Donald Trump's assertion on Sunday that he had reached a deal with Tehran to end the war and secure the "toll-free opening" of the strategic waterway, a vital route for global energy supplies.

The full text of the agreement, which is due to be signed on Friday in Switzerland, has yet to be published.

Monday's statements may be intended to placate hardline factions within Iran that have criticized a negotiated settlement with Washington. The move could also give Tehran an additional source of leverage in any future negotiations.

Iran has previously discussed with Oman, a US ally, the creation of a mechanism to manage transit through the Strait of Hormuz that could involve charges for passing vessels. Tehran has also recently established the "Persian Gulf Strait Authority," a new body tasked with regulating traffic through the waterway.