Reports indicate that Iran intends to introduce a transit fee for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which would disrupt international trade and be unlawful under maritime law. Reports indicate that Tehran plans to impose taxes on shipping companies based on the volume of oil that tankers pass through the key waterway.
It is marked in the proposal by Hamid Hosseini, the spokesperson of the Iranian Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters union, who says it seeks to patrol all ships that pass through the strait. He highlighted that the action is meant to ensure that no weapons are in transit during the tensions. Yet, this toll system questions the principle of free navigation as stipulated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees the right of peaceful passage through international waters.
It is developed amid increasing geopolitical tensions in the area. Iran has reportedly taken steps to shut down or restrict access to the Strait of Hormuz following Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The Strait is among the most important oil transportation routes in the world, carrying a significant share of global energy resources.
In response to the situation, US President Donald Trump threatened Iran not to escalate further in case there is no actual agreement between the two parties. He restated that Iran should not be allowed to start producing nuclear arms, and promised that the Strait of Hormuz would be free and open to world shipping.
The proposed toll and increased surveillance have caused fear in the international shipping industry and among states because a disturbance in the strait will significantly affect oil prices and international trade routes.