Iran Supreme Leader’s representative says $2 million Hormuz transit fee reports are ‘speculation’

Iran has said that reports suggesting it could charge as much as $2 million per ship for passage through the Strait of Hormuz are merely speculative, even as tensions remain high amid a fragile ceasefire with the United States.Speaking exclusively to CNBC-TV18, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, Representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader, said there is no official policy or decision on imposing such charges. “The figure of $2 million per ship is only speculation. There is no official statement from Iranian authorities on this,” he said, adding that discussions around such a move remain unconfirmed.

Ilahi stressed that Tehran’s intention is to keep the critical shipping route open. “We do not want to close the Strait. We want it to remain open so that all can benefit,” he said, noting that the ongoing conflict has created uncertainty and disruption across global trade routes.

Also Read | Explainer-Can Iran charge fees for ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz?Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil supplies, has seen limited activity following the ceasefire announcement. According to shipping data from Kepler, only five vessels crossed the Strait on the first day of the truce, as concerns over security risks, including sea mines and potential attacks, continue to weigh on movement.

The disruption has already had an impact on markets, with crude oil prices moving higher after an initial decline, while global equities remain under pressure amid uncertainty over the durability of the ceasefire.