Britain and its allies have rejected Iran‘s attempt to establish a ‘toll booth’ in the vital Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has effectively shut down the key shipping lane in the Gulf in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks that began at the end of February.
The closure of the vital sea passage has caused shipments of oil and gas to grind to a halt and sent global energy prices soaring.
Tehran is now said to be drafting plans to ‘monitor’ the Strait with Oman that would require ships to obtain permits and licences.
Reports have suggested Iran is already charging fees of more than £1million – paid in Chinese yuan or stablecoins – for vessels to pass through the Strait.
The very limited flow of traffic through the channel is now said to be exclusively via a ‘toll booth’ system controlled by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
But, at a meeting of more than 40 countries on Thursday, the UK and other nations condemned attempts by Iran to charge ships multi-million pound fees.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who chaired the talks, said the group agreed to ‘comprehensively reject the imposition of tolls on vessels’.
Iran has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks that began at the end of February
At a meeting of more than 40 countries on Thursday, chaired by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, the UK and other nations condemned attempts by Iran to charge huge fees
Ms Cooper also warned Iran it could face further sanctions if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
She said collective action to increase pressure on Tehran was being discussed as she accused the country of trying to ‘hold the global economy hostage’.
‘Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz is a direct threat to global prosperity,’ the Foreign Secretary said in a statement following Thursday’s meeting.
‘Iran is trying to hold the global economy hostage in the Strait of Hormuz.
‘They must not prevail. To that effect, partners today called for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait and respect for the fundamental principles of freedom of navigation and the law of the sea.’
Talks focused on the prospect of increasing diplomatic pressure, including through the UN, to push Iran to allow unimpeded transit, Ms Cooper said.
Countries also discussed exploring ‘co-ordinated economic and political measures, such as sanctions, to bear down on Iran if the Strait remains closed’.
Efforts could include working with the International Maritime Organisation to ensure the first stranded ships can get moving again as 2,000 remain trapped, the Foreign Secretary added.
It came after Iran suggested future control of the Strait would require ships to obtain permits and licences under a protocol being drafted with Oman.
‘These requirements will not mean restrictions, but rather to facilitate and ensure safe passage and provide better services to ships that pass through this route,’ Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said, according to the state media.
An Iranian military spokesperson said the Strait would remain closed ‘long term’ to the US and Israel.
