Iran has announced plans to introduce tolls for ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement specified that ‘Americans and the Zionist regime’ would be prohibited from accessing this vital waterway. The news was disclosed shortly after the White House reiterated ongoing talks with Tehran. The information was shared via a post on Telegram by Iranian officials.
According to the official Fars news agency, the post titled “Approval of the plan to impose tolls on the Strait of Hormuz in the Parliament’s Security Commission” revealed the introduction of a “Strait of Hormuz management plan” by a member of the National Security Commission. This initiative entails requiring ships passing through the Iranian-controlled strait to pay tolls. The decision follows a series of ship attacks in the Strait of Hormuz since the commencement of US-Israeli strikes on Iran a month ago.
A White House press briefing earlier emphasized positive ongoing discussions between the US and Iran, contrasting with previous statements from Iranian officials denying active talks. The White House Press Secretary outlined the four main objectives of the operation aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including destroying the Iranian Navy and ballistic missiles, dismantling defense infrastructure producing weapons, and preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed receipt of a 15-point proposal from the Trump administration but clarified that direct negotiations with Washington had not occurred. Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf dismissed talks in Pakistan as a pretext for increasing US military presence in the region, citing historical instances of US attacks during negotiations. He warned of severe consequences for American troops entering Iranian territory.
The US has conducted airstrikes targeting military sites on Kharg, prompting Iran to threaten a ground invasion of Gulf Arab countries and mining the Persian Gulf in response to potential US troop deployments. Securing Kharg Island would pose challenges due to its vulnerability within artillery range from the Iranian mainland.
