Iran Receives First Revenue from Hormuz Strait Fees

Iran has received revenue from tolls for ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz for the first time, Parliament Deputy Speaker Hamid Reza Hajibabai stated Thursday.

"The first revenue received from tolls in the Strait of Hormuz has been transferred to the Central Bank's account," Hajibabai noted.

Last month, the Iranian Parliament’s Security Commission approved a plan to impose tolls on ships passing through the strategic waterway.

Iran has intensified its restrictions on the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing US-Israeli war against the country in late February.

Iranian authorities have indicated that the world's vital energy lifeline, through which nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas passed before the war, remains open to everyone except to ships tied to the US, Israel and their allies.

Movement through the vital waterway also remains at a trickle amid the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and recent ship attacks and seizures in the region.

Citing "a senior Iranian official", CNN reported on Saturday Tehran will prioritize vessels that pay to cross the Strait of Hormuz.

“Given the limitation on the number of vessels that will be allowed to pass, Iran has decided to give priority to those vessels that respond more quickly to the new Strait of Hormuz protocols and pay the costs of security and safety services,” the official added.

According to the official, vessels that do not pay the fees will have their passage “postponed".

The senior official described the prioritization measure as a part of Iran’s efforts to manage maritime traffic “in light of the new order governing this strait".