Iran Exempts Russia from Strait of Hormuz Tolls

Moscow (ANTARA) - Tehran has exempted several countries, including Russia, from transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali told RIA Novosti. Iran’s First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hamid Reza Haji Babaei, said on Thursday (23/4) that Iran has received income from Strait of Hormuz crossing fees for the first time, through funds transferred to the country’s central bank. “Currently, we are granting exemptions to several countries, but I do not know what will happen in the future. However, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently working to implement exemptions for friendly countries, including Russia,” Ambassador Kazem Jalali said when asked whether Iran is granting exemptions from the Hormuz Strait tolls. Iran announced plans to impose tariffs following joint attacks by the United States (US) and Israel, citing costs for securing the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has now closed the Strait of Hormuz until the US naval blockade is fully lifted. The US and Israeli aggression against Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, which is the main route for oil and liquefied natural gas supplies from Persian Gulf countries to global markets. That situation also impacts oil exports and production in the region.