Iran to Levy Service Fees on Ships Using Strait of Hormuz, Signals Preferential Terms for Friendly Nations

Danik Jagran English — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 14:18:23 +0530

Iran Announces New Service Fee Framework for Strait of Hormuz Shipping, Allies May Receive Concessions

Iran has announced plans to introduce a new service fee framework for commercial vessels passing through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, while indicating that countries which supported Tehran during its recent conflict could receive preferential treatment under the proposed system.

The announcement was made by Iran's Ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, during the World Peace Forum in Beijing on Saturday. According to the ambassador, Iran is working in coordination with Oman to establish a long-term mechanism for managing maritime traffic through the narrow waterway, one of the world's most critical energy corridors.

Fazli clarified that the proposed charges would not be imposed as a transit toll but as payment for services provided by Iran in ensuring the safe and efficient movement of ships through the strait.

"As a country where the Hormuz is part of its territorial waters, we will definitely charge service fees," the ambassador said while outlining Tehran's proposal.

According to Iranian officials, the fees would cover a range of maritime services, including navigation security, vessel monitoring, traffic management and measures aimed at addressing the environmental impact created by heavy commercial shipping in the region.

The announcement follows the expiry of a temporary arrangement reached after the recent ceasefire between Iran and the United States. Under that agreement, commercial vessels were permitted to transit the Strait of Hormuz without paying any charges for a period of 60 days. Iranian authorities have not yet specified when the new fee structure will officially come into force.

Beyond the proposed charges, Tehran has also hinted at extending favourable treatment to countries that maintained supportive ties with Iran during the recent hostilities.

"We will definitely consider special treatment for the countries that were friendly to us and specially stood by us during the hard times," Fazli said.

However, Iranian officials have not identified which countries would qualify for such concessions or explained the criteria that would determine eligibility. Details regarding possible fee discounts or operational benefits for these nations have also not been disclosed.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most strategically significant maritime passages in the world. Nearly one-fifth of global crude oil shipments pass through the narrow channel connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Any disruption to shipping through the strait has immediate implications for international energy markets, oil prices and global supply chains.

During the recent conflict in West Asia, commercial movement through the waterway was temporarily disrupted, fuelling concerns over global oil supplies and contributing to a sharp rise in crude prices. The passage resumed normal operations after the ceasefire agreement between Tehran and Washington.

Iran's latest proposal suggests the country is seeking to institutionalise its role in regulating commercial shipping through the strategic waterway while generating revenue from services associated with maritime safety and environmental management.

Industry observers are expected to closely monitor how shipping companies, major oil-importing nations and international maritime organisations respond once the proposed framework is formally implemented. The introduction of service fees could also influence freight costs and operational planning for vessels transiting one of the busiest energy corridors in the world.

For now, Tehran has maintained that the initiative is intended to compensate for services provided rather than restrict international navigation, though further details regarding the structure, pricing and implementation timeline remain awaited.

No Vessel Exchange Talks With Iran, Says India; Confirms Ships Still Stuck in Strait of Hormuz

Nitin Trivedi — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:41:45 +0530

In a firm rebuttal to recent speculation, the Indian government on Tuesday categorically denied reports that it was discussing an exchange of seized vessels with Iran to secure the safe passage of Indian ships through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

The clarification from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) comes amid heightened regional tensions and follows a Reuters report claiming that New Delhi had earlier seized three tankers for allegedly masking their identities and engaging in illegal ship-to-ship transfers. The report suggested these seizures were now part of back-channel negotiations for safe passage through the waterway, a key chokepoint for global energy supplies that has seen disruptions since the escalation of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

'Reports Are Baseless': MEA

Addressing the media in a press briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed the claims outright, stating there has been "no discussion of this nature" regarding a vessel exchange.

"These reports are baseless," Jaiswal asserted. He further clarified the status of the three tankers—identified as Asphalt Star, Al Jafzia, and Stellar Ruby—which are currently docked off Mumbai. "The three vessels are anyway not Iranian owned, neither are there any Iranian vessels," he added, directly countering a core element of the initial reports.

The denial seeks to quash any suggestion of a transactional deal between New Delhi and Tehran, reaffirming India's stance of engaging with regional powers through established diplomatic channels rather than quid-pro-quo arrangements.

Indian Ships Remain Stranded

While ruling out any vessel exchange, the MEA confirmed a more pressing concern: several Indian-flagged vessels and their crews remain unable to transit the Strait of Hormuz, effectively stranded due to the ongoing instability in West Asia.

"Many of our ships are still stuck in the Strait of Hormuz," Jaiswal acknowledged during the briefing.

This admission underscores the real-world impact of the geopolitical crisis on India's maritime interests and energy security. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical artery through which a significant portion of India's crude oil and LNG imports transit, making freedom of navigation in the region a top national priority.

Diplomacy Takes Center Stage

With a military solution off the table, India is now leaning heavily on its foreign policy apparatus to resolve the deadlock. Jaiswal outlined the government's primary objective and the path it is taking to achieve it.

"We are in talks with Iran and other countries. As our Special Secretary mentioned, many ships are still there in the Strait of Hormuz area. It is our intention to work with Iran and other countries to bring those ships back home safely. This is our objective," he stated.

The MEA confirmed that "discussions are ongoing" and that India is engaging with Tehran on a number of issues, including the safe return of the vessels and humanitarian considerations.

Key Takeaways from the MEA Briefing:

No Vessel Exchange: India has not and will not discuss swapping seized tankers for safe passage.
Ownership Clarified: The three vessels seized by Indian authorities are not Iranian-owned.
Stranded Assets: Several Indian ships remain stuck in the Strait of Hormuz.
Active Diplomacy: India is in active talks with Iran and other regional players to secure the ships' release.