The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Iran will not collect 'tolls' in the Strait of Hormuz, but vessels will be charged for navigation, insurance, and environmental protection services — effectively maintaining the payment regime under a different label, according to the spokesman. The statement, reported by Iranian media, acknowledges that the system continues, contradicting claims that the strait would be free of charges.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday afternoon that Iran will not collect 'tolls' in the Strait of Hormuz, but vessels will be charged for 'navigation, insurance and environmental protection services' — effectively maintaining the payment regime under a different label. The statement, reported by Iranian media, acknowledges that the system continues, contradicting claims by President Trump that the strait would reopen without charges. The spokesman's remarks refine the label first introduced by Foreign Minister Araghchi on Friday, who detailed a joint management plan with Oman.
As The Zioneer reported on Sunday Jun 7, Iran began charging ships up to $2 million per vessel. By Monday Jun 8, reports indicated a 60-day grace period followed by collection for security, navigation, environmental and insurance services. Later that Monday, Iran claimed the US recognized its right to collect tolls after 60 days, and the foreign ministry then officially confirmed the timeline. On Saturday Jun 13, in a background item, a senior Iranian official said Trump's post contradicted interim understandings, claiming funds and a commission mechanism were promised. The same evening, the spokesman directly contradicted Trump's assertion that no toll would be collected. Monday Jun 15 saw the spokesman formalize an Oman partnership for navigation and insurance fees, and now, later Monday, he has specified the service categories.
The Zioneer's earlier six-day thread shows the label has shifted from 'toll' to 'service fee' while the revenue-collection mechanism persists. A background item from i24NEWS journalist Barak Betesh on Monday Jun 8 noted Iran had merely switched to an insurance fee, a formulation Betesh said was agreed with the Americans.
It remains unclear whether the United States has formally accepted this arrangement. Iranian officials have claimed understandings with Washington include some form of revenue-sharing, while Trump administration statements have denied any such agreement. The distinction between 'tolls' and 'service fees' remains a point of contention, with no independent confirmation of the scope or enforcement mechanism of the new charges.
5 developments
- StrongIranian Foreign Ministry spokesman: toll collection in Strait of Hormuz continues, contradicting Trump
- DevelopingIran Begins Charging Ships for Strait of Hormuz Transit — Up to $2 Million Per Vessel
- DevelopingSenior US official: Strait of Hormuz to reopen 'with no tolls' under framework deal with Iran
- DevelopingBarak Betesh (i24NEWS) scrutinizes Trump’s claim on toll-free Hormuz, noting Iran switched to insurance fee instead
Source and signal
- Internal intake