Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has publicly rejected the notion that Tehran intends to charge commercial vessels for passing through the Strait of Hormuz, stating that the country has not levied such fees for decades.
The comments, reported by multiple outlets including Hasht-e Subh Daily and Ekstrabladet, serve as a direct counter to recent speculation that Iran might impose transit charges on non-allied nations while offering preferential treatment to others.
The clarification arrives as global markets have begun to digest a normalization of shipping flows in the Gulf.
Brent crude prices have retreated toward pre-conflict levels, suggesting that traders are gradually unwinding the risk premium associated with potential chokepoint disruptions.
However, the underlying geopolitical tension remains unresolved, with Iran previously signaling its intent to administer the strait independently despite warnings from the United States.
For shipping and energy traders, the distinction between rhetoric and operational reality is critical.