Amid recent remarks by an Iranian lawmaker suggesting that Iran is imposing $2 million toll on shipping vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran has rejected the claims as “unfounded” and dismissed the legislator’s comments as his “personal views”.
What did Tehran say about Strait of Hormuz transit fee?
In a statement, the Embassy of Iran in India said claims suggesting Tehran is levying a $2 million transit fee on vessels passing the Strait of Hormuz are “unfounded”.
“In response to certain claims regarding the alleged receipt of a sum of 2 million dollars by the Islamic Republic of Iran from vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, it is emphasized that such claims are unfounded,” the Iranian mission said in a post on X.
Is Iran charging a fee to transit Hormuz?
The clarification comes amid recent media reports citing comments made by lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi that Iran was charging $2 million for safe passage through the strategic waterway.
However, the embassy dismissed Boroujerdi’s comments as “personal view”, which do not represent Iran’s official position. “The statements made in this regard merely reflect the personal views of individuals and do not, in any way, represent the official position of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” it said.
Has Iran closed Hormuz?
Iran has virtually shut maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz since February 28, allowing only ships belonging to Tehran’s “friendly nations” to transit the critical waterway. Shipping data shows that maritime traffic in the Strait has dropped by at least 95 percent since the blockade.
Iran insists that the “Strait of Hormuz is closed only to the enemy and to harmful traffic, and it has not yet been fully closed.”
