Iranis reportedly in talks with Oman to find a permanent mechanism for charging tolls from vessels, cargos, and ships using the strategic Strait of Hormuz for energy and goods trade in theMiddle East. TheStrait of Hormuzproved to be Iran’s most powerful strategic play and a non-kinetic weapon to pressure and blackmail the United States, during the war in the Middle East, that is continuing over nearly three months.

Tehran had blocked the Strait of Hormuz, bringing the global energy trade to a standstill at one point in time during the ongoing war, impacting crude oil and gas prices worldwide. The impact was worst in Asian and European countries, whose energy flow was disrupted, resulting in price rise and supply shortage. Iran had warned that any unauthorized passage, without its permission in the Hormuz, would be dealt strongly or targeted militarily.

Amid the war, Iran began pursuing charging tolls or taxes from any vessel that uses the Strait of Hormuz for its energy trade, a move not welcomed by the world, especially the United States, which has been warning Tehran to open the sea passage or face the wrath.

Now, as back-channel talks between the US and Iran still continue to take place, Iran’s ambassador to France, Mohammad Amin-Nejad, in an interview with Bloomberg, said that Iran and Oman must mobilise all their resources to provide security services and manage navigation in the most appropriate manner.

Speaking further to Bloomberg, Mohammad Nejad said that this will entail costs and it goes without saying that those who wish to benefit from this traffic must also pay their share.

Mentioning that the system will be transparent, Nejad said that if today there is any desire for the situation to improve, a solution must be found to tackle the root of the problem.

However, Oman has not responded to a request on whether it is in discussion with Iran for a permanent toll system, Bloomberg reported.

Shashwat Bhandari is the Associate Editor at Times Now. With 14 years of experience in the news and media industry, he understands the responsibility...View More

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