According to Bloomberg's report on July 4th, Iran's Ambassador to China, Fazli, said in Beijing on Saturday that China and other friendly countries would receive "special consideration" when Iran determines the level and nature of the service fees to be charged for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
We will definitely give China special consideration because China is a friendly country. He did not specify what specific considerations would be included, merely emphasized "we should give special treatment to friendly countries."
Fazli said that after four months of war between the United States and Israel against Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial energy transport route, has been regarded as a ‘national security’ issue. Therefore, ‘new arrangements will be made regarding the Strait with the cooperation and support of Oman.’
Iran's Vice President and Director of the Environmental Agency, Sheina Ansari, revealed recently that Iran has initiated the formulation of the "Horseshoe Breeze Environmental Service Fee Regulations". The preliminary draft has been completed recently, but the fee standards and specific collection mechanisms have not yet been finalized.
Fazeli reaffirmed on that day that Iran would charge conventional service fees in accordance with international standards, including costs related to security and environmental services, as well as insurance fees for ships navigating in Iranian waters. These practices are part of internationally recognized compliance measures, and no additional special provisions have been imposed unilaterally.
The report mentions that the United States and Gulf Arab countries insist that Iran and Oman should not charge any fees for using this waterway. However, sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday that some European countries have already accepted that ships passing through this vital passage must pay a certain fee. They also urged Iran and Oman not to treat ships differently based on their nationality.
According to the memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and Iran, during the 60-day negotiations for a final agreement, ships can pass through the Strait of Hormuz free of charge and safely. Iran must engage in discussions with Oman regarding the management of the Strait after this period.
Bloomberg reported that from Friday to Saturday, at least eight ships that tried to leave the Persian Gulf along the Oman coast turned back. “This once again shows that reopening the strait remains complex.”
On July 3, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiaqun presided over a regular press conference. In response to questions regarding the navigation of the Strait of Hormuz, Guo Jiaqun stated that the Strait of Hormuz is a passage used for international navigation. Restoring security and free navigation in the Strait is in the interests of all parties. Issues related to maritime navigation should be handled properly, and the general concerns of the international community should be addressed sensibly. The Chinese side wishes to maintain communication with relevant countries and the international community on this matter.
