Ships near the Strait of Hormuz on the 22nd (local time). Reuters/Yonhap

Russian media reported that Iran has exempted some friendly countries, including Russia, from the ‘Strait of Hormuz transit fee’.

Kazem Jalali, Iran’s ambassador to Russia, said in an interview with the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti on the 23rd (local time), “We are applying an exemption from the fee to some countries, including Russia.” Ambassador Jalali explained, “Although the future is uncertain, the Iranian government will strive to implement exemptions for friendly countries like Russia.”

Earlier, on February 28, immediately after U.S. and Israeli attacks, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s seaborne crude oil passes. Since then, while selectively allowing the passage of some vessels, it has been collecting fees in the name of security services. RIA Novosti reported that Iran’s parliament said the fees vary depending on the type, volume, and level of risk of the cargo. In the case of supertankers, they are said to reach $2,000,000 (approximately 3,000,000,000 KRW).

According to a transit-fee collection bill recently submitted to Iran’s parliament, ships seeking to pass through the Strait of Hormuz must obtain authorization from the authorities and pay the fee in Iranian rials.

RIA Novosti reported on the 23rd that the Iranian government has obtained transit-fee revenue for the first time. Hamid Reza Haji Babaei, deputy speaker of Iran’s parliament, said the Strait of Hormuz transit fee was transferred for the first time on the 23rd to the government’s account at the Central Bank of Iran.