Tehran: Iran is preparing to officially launch a maritime traffic management system in the Strait of Hormuz, charging fees for special services, amid a crisis of conflict and shipping blockades since military clashes with the United States and Israel. Meanwhile, the US leader has threatened Iran with serious consequences if it does not quickly agree to a peace treaty.
According to Thai News Agency, the National Security Committee of the Iranian parliament has approved a plan to establish a designated shipping lane through the strait to enforce its sovereignty and control. All commercial vessels would be required to register, provide details, and obtain a license electronically before being allowed to pass through the strait. Iran states that only commercial vessels and cooperating countries will benefit from this mechanism, strictly prohibiting hostile ships, such as those from the United States and Israel, as well as operators participating in the US Project Freedom escort program, from using the strait.
Regarding the toll collection mechanism, although the law stipulates that fees must be paid according to the official structure in Iranian rial, reports indicate that some ships have already paid tolls of between $1 million and $2 million USD per trip in advance, using Chinese yuan or cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin to circumvent the Western financial system. The Iranian government states that these fees are for specific safety and navigation services to ensure the security of international trade.
US President Donald Trump condemned the payment system as illegal and threatened that Iran would face difficult consequences if a peace agreement was not reached. He also ordered the US Navy to monitor and intercept all ships in international waters that pay Iranian transit fees.
Similarly, oil-dependent countries like South Korea oppose the plan, arguing that it violates international maritime law that clearly defines the right to freedom of navigation. Experts warn that if commercial ships pay Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), they could be charged with financing terrorism under Western sanctions.
Regarding the ongoing stalemate in efforts to reach a peace agreement between the United States and Iran, US President Trump recently stated that Iran will face very difficult times if it does not agree to a peace treaty soon, as the negotiation timeline is dwindling. If Iran refuses to sign the agreement, the US is prepared to resume large-scale airstrikes and potentially dismantle Iran’s infrastructure and nuclear program with even greater force.
The 14-point US agreement stipulated that Iran cease uranium enrichment for at least 12 years and export its entire stockpile of 60% enriched uranium in exchange for a phased lifting of sanctions. Iran rejected this offer, considering it unfair. In return, Iran presented several retaliatory measures to the US, including demands to cease all attacks on any front, pay war reparations to Iran, and separate the nuclear issue from the initial peace negotiations. Trump also deemed these demands unacceptable.