Click to see full-size image. (U.S. Navy)
Iran has collected its first revenue from tolls imposed on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which is responsible for 20 percent of global oil and liquid natural gas shipments, Parliament Deputy Speaker Hamidreza Haji Babaei announced on April 23.
“First revenues from transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz have been deposited into the Central Bank account,” he said in comments carried by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
Lawmaker Alireza Salimi also told the semi-official news agency that the Islamic Republic has begun collecting fees from vessels passing through the strait, citing what he described as “reliable sources.”
The amount charged varies depending on the type and volume of cargo and the level of risk posed by each vessel, Tasnim reported, noting that Iran determines the rates and collection mechanisms.
The deputy speaker and lawmaker, however, did not provide any further details, not even the number of ships that had paid.
The development came just two days after United States President Donald Trump extended a two-week ceasefire with Iran following a request from Pakistan, saying it would remain in place until Tehran presents what he described as a “unified proposal.” Trump, however, kept the blockade on the ports of the Islamic Republic.
Earlier, Reuters revealed that the U.S. military has intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged tankers — Deep Sea, Sevin, and Dorena — in Asian waters and is redirecting them away from their positions near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
A four tanker was later seized in the Indian Ocean. The U.S. The Defense Department releases video footage of American forces on the deck of the Guyana-flagged oil tanker Majestic X.
“We will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate,” a Pentagon statement said.
Ship-tracking data showed the Majestic X in the Indian Ocean between Sri Lanka and Indonesia. It had been bound for the port of Zhoushan in China.
Tensions are certainly building up between the U.S. and Iran, especially around the Strait of Hormuz. The two will likely end up holding a second round of talks in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, within a few days, but an agreement seems highly unlikely.
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i doubt there will be a second round of negotiations!