Iran’s ambassador to China said on Saturday that Tehran plans to introduce new service fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, while promising “special" treatment for countries that supported Iran during the recent conflict.

Speaking at the World Peace Forum in Beijing, Ambassador Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said Iran was working with Oman on new arrangements for managing traffic through the strategically important waterway. His remarks come despite Washington rejecting the idea of Iran charging vessels for using the strait.

The initial agreement between Iran and the United States that helped end their recent war allowed commercial vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without charge for 60 days. However, it remains unclear what system will replace the temporary arrangement once that period ends.

“As a country where the Hormuz is part of its territorial waters, we will definitely charge service fees," Fazli said, while stressing that the charges should not be viewed as a “toll."

He said the proposed measures would cover services related to securing safe passage through the waterway, monitoring ship movements and addressing the environmental impact caused by heavy maritime traffic.

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

The Strait of Hormuz carries nearly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports. The route was largely blocked by Iran during the recent Middle East conflict, triggering a sharp rise in global energy prices.

Iran reopened the strategic waterway after reaching an initial agreement with the United States to halt the fighting. Negotiations between the two sides on a permanent settlement are still continuing.

Source: News18