Germany Rejects Proposal for Tariffs on Ships in the Strait of Hormuz

Moscow (ANTARA) - German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that the idea of imposing tariffs on ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz is unacceptable and stressed the importance of freedom of navigation in that route.

“It is unacceptable if sea routes like the Strait of Hormuz are controlled by a certain country and tariffs are imposed. This is unacceptable, and we will assert the full restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” Wadephul said during a press conference in Berlin on Wednesday (15/4).

He added that ensuring freedom of transit in the Strait of Hormuz is not only in the interests of Persian Gulf countries and surrounding Asian nations, but also the entire international community.

Wadephul also announced that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to France on Friday to attend a conference on maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.

On Monday (13/4), the United States Navy began enforcing a blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz, which includes around 20 percent of the world’s supply of oil, petroleum products, and LNG.

Washington asserted that non-Iranian ships can still cross the Strait of Hormuz as long as they do not pay fees to Tehran.

Iranian authorities have not yet announced the implementation of such levies, but have discussed plans in that direction.