Iran wants to charge tolls in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran is considering a proposal to impose a transit fee or toll on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied gas is transported, a member of parliament said on Thursday (March 19).

The move is believed to be aimed at generating revenue by exploiting Tehran's recent control over the strategic waterway.

Since the start of the war between the United States, Israel and Iran, Tehran has been disrupting the passage of ships it considers to be affiliated with its enemies or allies.

The parliament is discussing a bill that would require countries using the strait for shipping, fuel transportation and food supplies to pay tolls and taxes to Iran, the lawmaker was quoted as saying by the Iranian Students News Agency.

An adviser to Iran's supreme leader said that a "new policy for the Strait of Hormuz" would be introduced if the war ends, allowing Tehran to impose maritime restrictions on countries that have imposed sanctions on Iran.

"We can impose sanctions (on the West) by using the strategic location of the Strait of Hormuz and stop their ships from passing through this waterway," Mohammad Mokhbar said on Thursday (March 19), according to Mehr News Agency.

Source: Reuters.