Iran's Supreme National Security Council announced on Thursday that it will waive all transit fees for commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz for the next 60 days after Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending their conflict.
According to a statement released by the council, the fee waiver applies to commercial vessels applying for passage under Article 5 of the MoU. Ships are required to submit their transit applications to the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, an Iranian authority overseeing shipping control in the Strait of Hormuz.
During this 60-day period, the Iranian government will cover all associated costs, allowing the vessels to transit free of charge.
The statement noted that the Persian Gulf Strait Authority has been instructed to prioritize and expedite the processing of these applications to ensure the implementation of the MoU. However, due to specific operational conditions and potential security risks in the transit routes, vessels must adhere to designated shipping lanes and scheduled times. These measures are designed to ensure navigation safety, prevent maritime accidents, and gradually increase the waterway's transit capacity, according to the statement.
The authority will release further execution arrangements and technical details regarding the transit protocols in due course.
The statement also said that other critical matters, including mine clearance operations in the waterway, will be addressed in accordance with Article 5 of the MoU.
Meanwhile, U.S. forces on Thursday lifted the blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, according to U.S. Central Command.
"American forces are not impeding the transit of vessels to or from Iranian ports. All U.S. military blockade enforcement efforts have ceased," the command wrote on X.
Iran waives transit fees for merchant ships in Strait of Hormuz for 60 days
