Lead

Iran’s ambassador to China has said that ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz will be charged new fees, while assuring that China and other “friendly” countries will receive “special considerations.” The announcement, made at the World Peace Forum in Beijing, comes despite US objections to any tolls on the strategic waterway.

Coverage comparison

Al Jazeera and The Hindu reported that the initial deal between Iran and the United States, signed last month to halt hostilities, stipulated that commercial ships would transit the strait free of charge for 60 days. Both outlets noted that it remained unclear what policies would be in place after that period. The Jerusalem Post also covered the announcement, adding US President Donald Trump’s claim that Iran had promised him there would be no charges for ships traveling the strait.

All three outlets quoted Ambassador Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli’s remarks, though their framing differed. The Jerusalem Post described Iran’s actions as a challenge to the US and its allies, using terms like “Islamic Republic” and “regime,” while Al Jazeera and The Hindu maintained a neutral tone.

Key claims

  • Iran’s ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, said on Saturday at the World Peace Forum in Beijing that Iran will “definitely charge service fees” for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, while insisting such fees would not be a “toll.”
  • According to Al Jazeera and The Hindu, the initial deal between Iran and the US stipulated that commercial ships would transit the strait free of charge for 60 days, but it remains unclear what will be in place after that period.
  • Fazli said Iran was working in “collaboration and cooperation” with Oman on “new arrangements” for the strait, which would involve guaranteeing security of passage, supervision of vessels, and addressing environmental consequences of heavy traffic.
  • The Hindu reported that Fazli said “special treatment” would be given to countries that were friendly to Iran and “specially stood by us during the hard times.” Al Jazeera quoted him as saying “special considerations” would be applied to China and other friendly nations.
  • The Jerusalem Post reported that US President Donald Trump claimed late last month that Iran had promised him there would be no “charges of any kind being sought or received by Iran on ships traveling the Strait of Hormuz.”
  • The strait normally carries one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas, as reported by Al Jazeera and The Hindu. Both outlets noted that the strait was all but closed by Iran during the war, sending energy prices soaring.

Perspectives

Iran: Ambassador Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli insists that, as a country for which Hormuz is part of its territorial waters, Iran will charge service fees, framing them as charges for services rather than tolls. He says the new arrangements with Oman will cover security, vessel supervision, and environmental protection, and that friendly nations will receive special treatment.

United States: The Jerusalem Post reports that US President Donald Trump has claimed Iran promised no charges on ships traveling the strait. Al Jazeera adds that the US has said Iran will not be permitted to charge tolls or fees under any final agreement.