Iran's Strait of Hormuz Authority announced on Friday that, under a memorandum of understanding signed with the United States this week, commercial vessels will be exempt from the prescribed transit fees for a 60-day negotiation period.
The statement noted that this exemption covers security, safety, environmental services, and related insurance fees. However, passage is conditional, with the requirement that ships must apply for transit at least 48 hours before reaching the waterway.
A Technical Adjustment or a Bargaining Chip?
Iranian officials argue that this pre-coordination procedure is related to navigation safety and traffic management in the strait. Tehran aims to offer free and accessible passage through the strait during this period.
In an assessment to Al Jazeera, international security expert Arif Dehqandar stated that the 48-hour application period could be seen as consistent with international practices from a traffic management and security perspective in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most sensitive waterways.
Dehqandar said this period allows maritime operators to coordinate with coastal authorities, preventing route conflicts and sudden congestion.
Could It Be Used as a Geopolitical Tool?
The expert highlighted that this rule could play a dual role at the geopolitical level and within power balances. Dehqandar noted that pre-registering ships in a database could provide the coastal state with an effective monitoring tool, cargo screening, and even the threat of delaying or blocking passage without the need for direct military action.
Dehqandar said, "This policy transforms 'procedural management' into a 'strategic bargaining tool,'" adding that if a final agreement is not reached, the same system could easily become a mechanism to impose operational restrictions on Iran-opposing parties or increase indirect costs.
The expert concluded that Iran's move is neither purely technical nor purely political, but a hybrid initiative combining navigation-security concerns with bargaining-pressure calculations.
The Importance of the Strait of Hormuz for Energy Trade
The sensitivity of this step stems from the vital importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global energy trade. The strait serves as a main gateway for oil and gas exports from the Gulf.
According to the International Energy Agency, in 2025, approximately 80% of the oil and petroleum products passing through the Strait of Hormuz went to Asia, while over 110 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) passed through the strait the same year. 93% of Qatar's LNG exports and 96% of the United Arab Emirates' LNG exports used this route, with the majority reaching Asian markets.
For transport and insurance companies, the continuation of free passage does not completely eliminate concerns about security risks in the strait. Maritime and insurance reports from sources like Lloyd's List and S&P Global show that security tensions in the region affect companies' willingness to cross the strait and lead to the repricing or increase of war risk insurance premiums.
