The Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) of the Islamic Republic officially announced on Thursday evening, June 18, that no fees will be collected from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz for the next 60 days.
The official statement from the council, published by Iranian media, reads: “In accordance with the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, no fees whatsoever will be collected from applicants for a duration of sixty days, and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran will cover these costs.”
According to senior United States officials and in compliance with international law, Iran cannot levy “tolls” on transit ships. However, the Islamic Republic maintains that it has the right to charge vessels for “services” rendered.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic international waterway that was blocked by the Iranian Navy shortly after the outbreak of military conflicts between Iran, the United States, and Israel. Following the ceasefire, the United States enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
According to an official announcement by the U.S. military, the blockade was lifted just hours ago. The Supreme National Security Council, the highest security body in the Islamic Republic, confirmed that naval mines have been deployed in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. It stated that due to “special circumstances and the existence of certain safety hazards,” ships must navigate along the routes and schedules designated by Iran “so that traffic can gradually increase.”
