Iran proposes service fees for Strait of Hormuz ships

Iran announced plans on Saturday to charge service fees to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a proposal immediately rejected by the United States, while pledging preferential treatment for friendly nations including China. The announcement, made by Iranian Ambassador Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli at the World Peace Forum in Beijing, signals a new point of contention in ongoing negotiations to secure a permanent peace following a recent four-month Middle East war.

Ambassador Fazli stated that Iran, in collaboration with Oman, would implement new arrangements for the vital waterway, which lies within Iranian territorial waters. He insisted the charges would be "service fees" rather than a toll, intended to guarantee security, supervise vessel passage, and address environmental consequences from heavy shipping traffic. Fazli explicitly said Iran would "definitely consider special treatment for the countries that were friendly to us and specially stood by us during the hard times," naming China as a key beneficiary.

The proposal contradicts the terms of an initial U.S.-Iran deal struck last month to end their conflict, which stipulated a 60-day period of free transit through the...