Iran considers levying transit fees on ships in Hormuz Strait, lawmaker says

Iran is looking into a plan to charge transit fees for ships that travel through the Strait of Hormuz, a lawmaker announced on Thursday. This move could help Iran generate revenue from its control over this vital waterway, through which one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied gas flows. Since the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, Tehran has made it harder for ships it claims are connected to its enemies to pass through the strait. The Iranian Students’ News Agency reported that the lawmaker mentioned a bill being discussed in parliament. This bill would require countries using the strait for shipping, energy transport, and food supplies to pay tolls and taxes to Iran. An adviser to Iran's supreme leader noted that “a new regime for the Strait of Hormuz” will be established after the war ends, allowing Iran to impose maritime limits on countries that have placed sanctions on it. Mohammad Mokhber stated on Thursday, as reported by Mehr news agency, that by leveraging the strategic location of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran could sanction the West and stop their ships from using this waterway.