Tehran [Iran], March 26 (ANI): The conflict in West Asia has placed enormous strain on one of the world’s key shipping routes, the Strait of Hormuz. A new report from shipping news website Lloyd’s List suggests that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has imposed a de facto “toll booth” regime in the strait. The report states that vessels are now required to submit full documentation, obtain clearance codes, and accept IRGC-escorted passage through a single controlled corridor.
Lloyd’s List reports that since March 13, a total of 26 vessels have transited through the strait using routes pre-approved under an IRGC “toll booth” system, requiring ship operators to comply with a vetting process. According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data, no vessels have been tracked using the “normal” route since March 15 via Automatic Identification System data.
However, India’s Ministry of Shipping had earlier rejected reports of any proposed toll or levy on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, calling such claims “baseless” and reaffirming that the key maritime passage is governed by international conventions ensuring freedom of navigation.
Special Secretary in the Ministry of Shipping, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, emphasized that no charges can be imposed on ships crossing the strait under global regulations.
“Regarding the question about toll or levy while crossing the Strait of Hormuz, as you would know, this is an international strait, and as per international convention, it has the right of freedom of navigation, and no levy fee can be imposed on it under international regulation. Therefore, any fact presented or argument made by anyone has no basis. It is baseless,” Sinha said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that vessels from friendly countries, including India, have been permitted passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai said in a post, “Iran FM Abbas Araghchi: We have permitted passage through the Strait of Hormuz for friendly nations, including China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan.”
As of Thursday, at least five vessels bound for India have safely transited through the Strait of Hormuz. Two of these vessels, Jag Vasant and Pine Gas, are expected to dock by the end of the week.
On March 25, Iran’s mission in New York stated that it would allow the passage of what it described as “non-hostile vessels” through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on X, the mission said, “Non-hostile vessels, including those belonging to or associated with other states, may, provided that they neither participate in nor support acts of aggression against Iran and fully comply with declared safety and security regulations, benefit from safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with competent Iranian authorities.”
The Iranian Defense Council has also announced that transit of “non-hostile vessels” through the strategic Strait of Hormuz is now strictly dependent on prior coordination with Iranian officials.
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on X, he said, “The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz is choking the movement of oil, gas, and fertilizer at a critical moment in the global planting season. Across the region and beyond, civilians are enduring serious harm and living under profound insecurity. The UN is working to minimize the consequences of the war. And the best way to minimize those consequences is clear: End the war immediately.” (ANI)
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