Iran considers duties on shipping through Strait of Hormuz

Somayeh Rafiei, a member of Iran’s parliament representing Tehran, has proposed introducing fees for countries using the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting they should pay Iran for maintaining security along the critical maritime route.

Speaking as reported by Iran International, Rafiei said: “We are implementing a plan under which countries using the Strait of Hormuz… will be required to pay duties and taxes to the Islamic Republic of Iran.” She added that Iran plays a central role in ensuring regional security and argued that countries benefiting from safe passage “must pay a security tax.”

The proposal emerges at a time when maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has sharply declined, with some shipping routes effectively halted. The disruption follows attacks on vessels and ongoing threats attributed to Iran, affecting one of the world’s most strategic energy corridors.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital transit route through which approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies are transported, making any restriction or additional cost measures highly significant for international markets.

By Tamilla Hasanova