Iran Announces Plans to Charge Service Fee for Use of Strait of Hormuz

Iran is developing a "service fee" for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the country's deputy foreign minister. Iran Deputy FM Gharibabadi said Tehran is working on the fee structure. The fees would cover services such as navigation support and rescue operations for vessels using the narrow chokepoint.

The Strait of Hormuz is the body of water referenced for the proposed service fee on passing ships. @FirstSquawk reported that the initiative aims to offset operational costs associated with maritime traffic through the strategic passage. Gharibabadi's comments mark the first public confirmation that Tehran is actively drafting the fee mechanism.

Iranian officials have long maintained that users of the strait benefit from support services without contributing to their upkeep. The proposal stops short of characterizing the payment as a transit tax or toll. Instead, authorities describe it strictly as reimbursement for concrete assistance including pilotage guidance and emergency response capabilities.

Details on the potential fee amount, implementation timeline or collection method remain undisclosed. Gharibabadi did not specify whether the charge would apply uniformly to all vessel types or only to certain categories of commercial traffic. The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of global seaborne oil trade under normal conditions.

Any formal fee structure could affect insurance costs, routing decisions and diplomatic relations with major oil-importing nations. Iran has previously floated similar concepts during periods of elevated regional tension. The latest statement from Gharibabadi arrives as maritime security concerns persist in Gulf waters.

@FirstSquawk reported the remarks without providing additional context on internal Iranian deliberations. No immediate reaction from shipping industry groups or Western governments was available in the initial reporting.