No Tolls, Yes Payment: Iran's Maneuver in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran conditions the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on the removal of the US naval blockade, compensation, and the withdrawal of US forces. Spokesman Esmail Baqaei denied transit tolls but announced charging fees for 'maritime services' to ships, seen as a workaround. Talks with Oman are progressing on safe shipping routes.

At his weekly press conference, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei clarified that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is primarily conditional on the removal of the US naval blockade. According to him, as long as 'hostile behavior' continues, conditions for regional security will not ripen. Iran demands the cessation of US operations, compensation for damages, and the withdrawal of American forces from its vicinity. The spokesman reiterated that the closure of the strait was a direct response to 'American and Israeli aggression' and the use of regional bases against Tehran. Meanwhile, it was announced that mechanisms would be established to oversee safe passage, environmental protection, and combating maritime crime. In the same breath, it was emphasized that 'in return for providing maritime services to ships, the relevant costs and fees will be collected' – which appears to be a workaround for collecting transit tolls, despite denials. Al-Arabiya network notes that the spokesman reported positive progress in talks with Oman and an understanding reached on the shipping routes map, while completing technical details.