Iran, Oman consider new Hormuz transit rules with perks for friendly nations

Iran is considering the introduction of new shipping regulations in the Strait of Hormuz, with friendly countries potentially receiving preferential treatment.

Speaking at the World Peace Forum in Beijing, Iran’s ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, said Tehran is reviewing new rules for maritime transit through the strategically important waterway, The Economic Times reports.

"As a country where the Hormuz is part of its territorial waters, we will definitely charge service fees," Fazli said in translated remarks, emphasizing that such charges would not constitute a "toll."

"These new arrangements will be concerning guaranteeing the security of passage through the Straits of Hormuz, supervision of the passage of the vessels... and also guaranteeing and dealing with the environmental consequences of the massive number of ships," he noted.

The ambassador added that Iran may also factor diplomatic relations into the implementation of any future measures.

“We will take into account the special relationship with countries that were friendly toward us and supported us during difficult periods,” Fazli stressed.

The diplomat noted that Iran and Oman are jointly developing a new framework for regulating transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Fazli, the proposed mechanisms will include measures related to maritime security, vessel traffic oversight and environmental standards.

By Jeyhun Aghazada