Iran's Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said the Strait of Hormuz's management is now an exclusive Iranian responsibility and that Tehran will impose tolls on vessels passing through, claiming the achievement came from 'Ramadan War.' The statement escalates Tehran's unilateral maritime posture amid a weeks-long closure.
Iran's Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref declared that the Strait of Hormuz will be managed exclusively by Iran from now on, and that Tehran will levy tolls on vessels using the waterway. Aref attributed the achievement to what he termed 'Ramadan War' — a reference to the period of hostilities that followed the collapse of the nuclear talks.
The statement marks a further ratcheting of Tehran's unilateral maritime claims. Over the past week, Iran has moved from military threats to administrative blockade measures: on June 11, a newly formed Iranian Strait of Hormuz Authority formalized an indefinite closure and instructed permit holders to await further guidance, as The Zioneer reported. Since then, Iranian state television has broadcast that no foreign ships are permitted to pass, and Iranian media have reported that the IRGC is enforcing the closure with UAVs and naval assets.
The move aligns with earlier statements by Iranian hardliners. Senior lawmaker Nabavian warned days ago that any proposal to involve Oman in the Strait's management crossed a red line set by Supreme Leader Khamenei. The toll declaration appears designed to assert full unilateral control and block any diplomatic compromise—while also signaling that the IRGC, not diplomatic channels, runs the waterway. It remains unclear how shipping companies or the U.S. Navy will respond to a unilateral toll regime that has no basis in international maritime law.
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Source and signal
- Internal intake