Tehran: Iran has decided to impose a “toll” on some vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a bid to leverage its control over the global shipping choke point amid its ongoing war with the US and Israel, Iran has decided to charge some vessels $2 million (approximately Rs18.8 crore) to pass through the strategic corridor.
Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi, who is a member of the parliament’s national security committee, told state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) that the toll has already been implemented, according to a report by Iran International.
Boroujerdi has said that the move reflects a new “sovereign regime” in the strait after decades.
“Collecting $2 million as transit fees from some vessels crossing the strait reflects Iran’s strength,” he said, as reported by NDTV.
“Now, because war has costs, naturally we must do this and take transit fees from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz,” Boroujerdi added, claiming the move shows his country’s “authority”.
This move came after US president Donald Trump’s warning last week that Iran’s power infrastructure would be targeted if the strait is not reopened within 48 hours.
Referring to this threat, the Iranian leader said that Israel’s energy infrastructure would be within Iran’s reach and could be destroyed “within a day”.
The country’s president Masoud Pezeshkian had also responded to Trump’s threat and said that the strait is “open to everyone” except Iran’s adversaries.
“The illusion of erasing Iran from the map shows desperation against the will of a history-making nation. Threats and terror only strengthen our unity. The Strait of Hormuz is open to all except those who violate our soil. We firmly confront delirious threats on the battlefield,” he posted on X.
