Iran Asserts Right to Levy Environmental Charges on Ships Passing Through Strait of Hormuz

Iranian officials have stated that the country is entitled under international law to impose environmental fees on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, citing concerns over pollution and ecological damage in the Persian Gulf.

According to Arman Khorsand, head of the International Affairs and Environmental Conventions Center at Iran’s Department of Environment, the move is aimed at addressing increasing environmental pressures in the region. These include oil pollution, the activity of foreign military vessels, and damage to sensitive marine ecosystems.

Khorsand said the proposed fees could help fund environmental restoration efforts in the Persian Gulf. He added that coastal states have the right under the principle of “innocent passage” to impose charges related to maritime services and compensation for environmental harm, noting that similar practices exist in international law.

Responding to criticism, he dismissed claims that such environmental charges would be illegal, insisting that they are consistent with established international legal frameworks.

The statement comes amid ongoing discussions over maritime security and environmental protection in one of the world’s most strategic shipping routes.

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