Iran To Ban U.S, Israeli Ships From Hormuz & Impose 20% Fine On Non-Compliant Vessels

Iranian Parliament is currently reviewing a plan to ban commercial ships having connections to the United States, Israel and ‘other hostile countries’ from transiting the Strait of Hormuz until the Islamic Republic is compensated for war damage, according to the Iranian state media.

According to sources, Iran would likely impose a fee up to 7% of cargo value on commercial vessels that pass through the Strait. It has also decided to fine vessels 20% of the cargo if they violate Iran’s conditions.

Iran also said that it would soon finalise a deal on shipping routes with Oman, which is an ally of the U.S, and a country which lies on the other side of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian media also quoted its Foreign Ministry as saying that vessels would enter the Strait through a northern corridor close to the Iranian coast and leave through the southern corridor near the coast of Oman.

However, the Trump Government has raised a few concerns regarding the agreement, while Oman has not commented on the matter as of now.

A Senior U.S Official said on condition of anonymity that any temporary route via Hormuz, agreed upon by Iran and Oman, should not require any prior approvals or permissions from any party, and there should be no tolls or any kind of charges.

U.S President Trump later said that the U.S presently maintains its control over the Strait through its naval blockade of Iranian Ports.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said that American Forces redirected 48 commercial ships, preventing them from reaching Iranian Ports.

It disabled 2 vessels, boarded and seized another 2, although 30 humanitarian ships were allowed to pass safely through the blockade.

Turkish Foreign Minister, who had lately been working as a mediator in the conflict, said that a temporary agreement between Washington and Iran would be announced soon.

Gulf Nations, which have suffered strikes and attacks for hosting US military bases in the region, are encouraging all the parties to reach a deal to de-escalate the situation and let normalcy return in the region.

There are concerns among the U.S’s Gulf allies that if the situation continues to remain the same or even escalates, Iran could target their vital oil infrastructure with its drones and missiles.