Iran plans to charge a service fee for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international standards.
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US Ambassador to the UN: Iran attempts to impose illegal fees in the Strait of Hormuz
Odaily Odaily reports: The US Ambassador to the United Nations stated that Iran is attempting to impose illegal fees in the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz must be open to all countries. We will not allow Iran to hold the global economy hostage. Iran's attacks on civilian vessels and obstruction of freedom of navigation have impacted global agriculture. (Jinshi)
Several European countries tacitly approve the prospect of charging fees in the Strait of Hormuz.
PANews reported on July 2nd, citing Bloomberg, that some major European powers have internally accepted that fees for vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz to Iran and Oman are "inevitable." Sources say these countries, while acknowledging the increased costs, are demanding that Iran and Oman refrain from discriminating based on vessel nationality and are pushing for the formation of an international maritime coalition to clear mines. The United States and several Gulf Arab states publicly maintain that Iran and Oman have no right to levy any fees on navigation, citing reasons including adherence to international maritime law and preventing setting a precedent for other countries. Oman, on the other hand, is using the Strait of Malacca toll fees and security fund as a reference model, seeking a balance between satisfying Iran's demands and maintaining global shipping stability.
The number of ships in the Strait of Hormuz's Omani shipping lanes has sharply decreased, and Iran continues to strengthen its control over the waterways.
According to Mars Finance, on July 5th, reports indicated a significant decrease in the number of ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman on Sunday. This followed a sharp turnaround the previous day by several vessels attempting to leave the strait along the route, highlighting Iran's continued efforts to strengthen its control over this strategic waterway. An oil tanker that turned back on Saturday appears to be attempting to pass again and has now passed the northernmost tip of Oman's Musandem Peninsula. Earlier, another oil tanker also traveled along the same route and publicly announced its intention to navigate, currently broadcasting its position information in the Gulf of Oman. Other vessels are opting for unauthorized transit. A Suezmax crude oil tanker appeared in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday after its last position broadcast in the Persian Gulf on Saturday. Between Friday and Saturday, at least eight vessels suddenly turned back while transiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani route. Four of these subsequently changed course northward, exiting the strait via the Iranian side of the route. There is currently no official explanation for these sudden turns. However, Iran has repeatedly stated that ships can only transit the Strait of Hormuz via designated and authorized routes. According to Kpler data, 19 ships transited the Strait of Hormuz in both directions on Saturday, but only one ship publicly indicated it would enter the strait via the Omani coastal route, compared to 13 ships using that route on Friday. These statistics only cover observable navigation activities.
Iranian lawmaker: The US must recognize the Iranian regime in the Strait of Hormuz
Odaily Odaily reports that following the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's announcement of strikes against 85 US military facilities in the region, a senior Iranian lawmaker stated that the US must "recognize the new administrative system in the Strait of Hormuz." According to official media reports, Ibrahim Aziz, chairman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, made the remarks on social media, commenting on the Revolutionary Guard's so-called "preliminary response" to US aggression. He stated, "There is no other way: the new Iranian regime in the Strait of Hormuz must be recognized."
Sources indicate that Saudi Arabia plans to expand its oil pipeline along the Red Sea, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz and increasing its daily transport capacity by 2 million barrels.
According to five sources familiar with the Odaily, Saudi Arabia is considering expanding the capacity of its crude oil pipeline to the west coast of the Red Sea, enabling Saudi Arabia and its neighbors to transport more oil without passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Built in the early 1980s, this east-west pipeline has become increasingly strategically important since the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq War in February and the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The pipeline can transport up to 7 million barrels of crude oil per day to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. In May, the CEO of Saudi Aramco stated that approximately 2 million barrels would supply refineries on the west coast, and about 5 million barrels would be exported. Sources say that Saudi Arabia is in preliminary discussions with some neighboring countries regarding pipeline expansion, planning to add approximately 2 million barrels of pipeline capacity per day. It is unclear whether Aramco's planned expansion involves upgrading existing infrastructure or building a new pipeline. One source said the expansion plan also includes a smaller refined oil pipeline. Two sources said the expansion could be between 1 million and 2 million barrels per day, with refined oil products also under consideration. Another source indicated that the project would take several years, cost billions of dollars, and require adjustments to Saudi Arabia's crude oil pricing mechanism. (Jinshi)
Iran launches at least two missiles at ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Mars Finance, on July 7th, AXIOS reported that a US official stated that Iran fired at least two missiles at ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Two merchant ships were hit and severely damaged, but there were no casualties.