Iran will impose duty on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, India may get relief

Washington. Amid signs of some easing of tensions between the United States and Iran, Tehran has announced that a service fee will be charged from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz in future. However, Iran has also indicated that its friendly countries may be given special concessions in this arrangement. In such a situation, questions are being raised whether India will also have to pay this fee or can it get exemption.

There will be ‘service charge’, not toll

During the World Peace Forum held in China’s capital Beijing, Iran’s Ambassador to China Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said that a part of the Strait of Hormuz falls in Iran’s territorial waters, so it is natural to charge service fees from ships passing through there.

He clarified that this should not be seen as a traditional toll tax. He also said that special arrangements will be considered for the countries which have supported Iran in difficult times.

Hope of relief for India

Iran has not yet clarified what the duty collection process will be, which countries it will apply to and who will be exempted. However, considering Iran’s traditional friendly relations with India, it is believed that New Delhi may get special relief.

Even before this, when the movement of ships in the Strait of Hormuz was affected during regional tensions, Iran had allowed the movement of Indian ships. Energy, trade and strategic cooperation between the two countries has long been strong.

Had given confidence about India earlier also

Iran’s Ambassador to India Mohammad Fatahli had said in April that no toll was being taken from Indian ships. He said that relations between India and Iran are based on trust and mutual interests and India has always played the role of a reliable partner.

In this background, it is believed that even if Iran implements the tariff system, concessions or exemptions can be given to India by keeping it in the category of friendly countries.

Hormuz is important for global trade

The Strait of Hormuz is counted among the most important maritime trade routes in the world. A large part of the crude oil and natural gas exported globally passes through this route. In such a situation, if Iran imposes tariffs, it may affect international shipping costs and energy markets. However, the final impact will depend on what the duty rates will be and on which countries or vessels it will be implemented.