Iran official says Hormuz transit fees have basis in international law

A senior Iranian environmental official has defended proposals to charge environmental fees to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, saying the measure has a legal basis under international maritime law.

Arman Khorsand, head of international affairs and conventions at Iran’s Department of Environment, said such fees could be used to compensate for environmental damage inflicted on the Persian Gulf.

The proposal to levy charges on vessels passing through the strategic waterway has been raised previously in Iran. Khorsand's remarks focused on providing a legal justification for the idea, arguing that international maritime law offers grounds for collecting environmental fees from transiting ships.

He said revenues generated through such charges could be directed toward environmental protection and restoration efforts in the Persian Gulf.