Iran to charge ships for Strait of Hormuz transit, says Ghalibaf: 'US made it a reality for us'

Iran Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has declared that Tehran will impose charges on ships transiting the crucial Strait of Hormuz after a 60-day grace period, asserting sovereign rights over the vital global choke point. This defiant stance comes just days before the formal ratification of the 'Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding' between Iran and the United States in Geneva, an agreement intended to reopen the strait and de-escalate months of conflict that severely disrupted global energy flows. Ghalibaf's remarks underscore deep Iranian skepticism towards Washington, despite the nascent diplomatic progress, and signal a direct challenge to international maritime norms. The recently signed interim MoU mandates an immediate cessation of hostilities and a US commitment to lift its naval blockade within 30 days, with Iran pledging to ensure free passage for commercial vessels for 60 days while undertaking demining operations. However, the accord's language on future transit fees remains pointedly ambiguous, allowing Ghalibaf to claim Iran will now convert the Strait's 'potential into a reality' by collecting payments for 'services provided.' This directly conflicts with US President Donald Trump's assertion that the Strait would be "toll-free," and international maritime law which generally prohibits blanket transit tolls on natural straits, creating a contentious post-ceasefire battleground over economic and strategic control. As the 60-day fee-free window commences, all eyes will be on the diplomatic tightrope walk, particularly the upcoming negotiations between Iran and Oman to define new administrative and maritime service frameworks for the Strait. With the global economy reliant on the Strait for over 20% of its oil and LNG exports, any escalation over Iran proposed fees could reignite tensions, compel a multinational naval presence, or force shipping to costly alternative routes around Africa. The coming weeks will reveal whether this fragile peace can withstand Iran assertive claim to its most potent geopolitical leverage.