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New Delhi: India has also made its stance clear regarding the free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz amid reports of Iran charging USD two million on ships passing through the crucial waterway. Notably, the Hormuz blockade is one of the main points of contention between the United States and Iran, and the issue is also the center point of peace talks between the two countries. A member of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, termed collecting tolls from some ships as “Iran’s strength.” “Collecting $2 million as transit fees from some vessels crossing the strait reflects Iran’s strength,” Boroujerdi told state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) as reported by Hindustan
Times. What India Said On Toll Tax Imposed By Iran In The Strait Of Hormuz:Issuing clarification, India’s External Affairs Ministry said that it had “absolutely no discussion” with Iran over the issue after the temporary ceasefire came into force. “Yes, we have also seen some reports…we continue to call for free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. We made this point in our statement yesterday as well and continue to do so now as well,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said on Thursday during a press briefing. Jauswal further asserted that there are no discussions between the two countries on the matter. “There has been no discussion on this point between us and Iran…we continue to call for free and safe navigation,” he had stated.Notably, India is among Iran’s “friendly” countries that have been allowed to trade through the Strait of Hormuz even during the war. Notably, during the Iran crisis, eight Indian-flagged tankers passed through the key waterway and reached different ports of the country. Also Read: Strait Of Hormuz Gridlock: What Gets Ships Moving Amid Fragile US-Iran Truce?Status Of The Strait Of Hormuz:The strait currently remains closed even two days after the 14-day ceasefire was announced on Tuesday. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is controlling the waterway. Kpler oil analyst Matt Smith told CNBC that so far just two ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz.Iran’s Supreme Leader On The Strait of Hormuz:Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday signaled a major strategic shift in Tehran’s approach to the Strait of Hormuz. In a strongly worded statement, Khamenei said Iran would “enter a new phase in the management of the Strait of Hormuz,” indicating that Tehran may be preparing to recalibrate its control over one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. The remarks come at a time when the strait remains at the centre of geopolitical tensions following weeks of conflict and a fragile ceasefire.
