Amidst tension in the Middle East, Iran imposed a toll of $2 million on the Strait of Hormuz, saying- ‘This is an infringement of our rights…’

Tehran, March 23. Tension is continuously increasing in the Middle East. Iran has now decided to charge transit fees of about $2 million (about Rs 18.8 crore) on some ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This step has been taken by Iran to show its strong control over this important global shipping route.

• Iranian MP’s statement

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of the Iranian parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee, said in an interview with state broadcaster IRIB that the $2 million toll has already been imposed on some ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. He described it as the beginning of Iran’s “new sovereign regime” in the Strait after decades. Borujerdi said, “Taking a $2 million transit fee from some ships shows Iran’s power. Now that the costs of the war have increased, it has become necessary for us to do this. Collecting fees from ships passing through Hormuz shows the power and authority of the Islamic Republic.”

• Statement came after Trump’s threat

This statement comes just after the recent warning from US President Donald Trump. Trump had recently said that if Iran does not open the Strait of Hormuz completely and without any threat within 48 hours, then America will attack Iran’s power plants and will start with the largest plant. Referring to Trump’s threat, the Iranian MP counter-warned that Israel’s energy centers are also within Iran’s reach and can be destroyed in a day.