Iran has announced the introduction of a new control system involving toll fees for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, in a move that has drawn international attention amid rising regional tensions.
According to Iranian parliamentary officials, the head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Ebrahim Azizi, told Russian media that all ships transiting the strategic waterway will be required to pay a fee under the new regulatory framework.
He stated that the government aims to establish “full control and effective management” over the maritime passage in line with national interests, while also expressing mistrust toward the United States.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, through which a significant portion of global oil shipments pass daily, making any policy shift in the area closely watched by international markets.
In a separate development, Iran’s Deputy Oil Minister Mohammad Sadeq said efforts are underway to restore oil refining capacity affected by recent strikes attributed to the United States and Israel.
He said that between 70 to 80 percent of production capacity is expected to be restored within the next two months, adding that partial operations at the Lavān refinery could resume within 10 days, gradually improving output levels.