Iran has signaled a major shift in control over the Strait of Hormuz by proposing a new toll system for vessels passing through the critical oil transit route.
The move, announced by senior Iranian officials, could ominously impact global oil shipping costs, as a large portion of the world’s oil supply passes through the narrow corridor.
Authorities say the toll mechanism is part of broader efforts to assert greater regulatory control and safeguard national interests, but it is likely to raise concerns among international stakeholders already wary of rising tensions in the region.
In an interview with Russian media, Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliamentary national security committee, said that all vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz would be required to pay tolls under a new control system.
He further said that Iran would establish full control and management over the Strait of Hormuz in line with its national interests, adding that the country cannot trust the United States.
Meanwhile, the Iranian military rejected US claims regarding the passage of American vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. According to a report by Al Jazeera, a spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the US Central Command’s claims were “false” and strongly denied them.
The spokesperson emphasized that only Iran’s armed forces have the authority to control maritime traffic through the Strait.
Earlier, United States Central Command had claimed that US forces had launched a mine-clearing operation in the Strait of Hormuz, involving two guided missile destroyers from the US Navy.
