Iran Investigates Fines for Ships Passing Through the Strait of Hormuz

JAKARTA - Iran is considering a bill that would require countries to pay fees for ships crossing the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

According to the semi-official ISNA news agency, the draft proposes tariffs for vessels using the vital sea route, which is one of the most important routes for global energy supplies.

A member of parliament in Tehran said the proposal aims to require payment and taxes to Iran if the strait is used as a "safe lane" for shipping, energy transport, and food supply chains.

As reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Thursday, March 19, the parliamentarian stated that countries that benefit from the security of navigation in the strait "must pay fees and taxes to Iran."

This proposal emerged amid an escalating escalation of the region since Israel and the United States (US) launched a joint attack on Iran on February 28, which reportedly killed around 1,300 people, including then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran retaliated with drone and missile attacks on various parts of the region and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, the main oil shipping route that normally handles around 20 million barrels per day and about 20 percent of global liquefied natural gas trade, ultimately shaking the world's energy markets.