The Iranian government has decided to temporarily suspend a 10-percent freight surcharge on non-Iranian vessels carrying oil, natural gas and liquid petroleum products, in a move aimed at reducing related transport costs, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.
Iran's vice president for legal affairs has instructed a deputy oil minister to suspend the charge, according to Fars.
Previously, Iran levied charges on foreign vessels transporting oil, natural gas and liquid petroleum products, which increased the transport costs of these products.
Analysts said the temporary suspension is expected to lower transport costs and help encourage foreign fleets to carry cargo to and from Iran.
Iran temporarily suspends freight charge on certain foreign vessels: media
Israel's military said on Thursday it had destroyed more than 2 km of underground Hezbollah infrastructure at the Ali al-Taher Ridge in southern Lebanon, after taking control of the area above and below ground.
The military said the network contained a command complex, weapons stores and living quarters, as well as dozens of Iranian-made rockets, missiles and drones, anti-tank missiles, mines and explosives.
It said the tunnels had been built over two decades with Iranian funding and included a command center belonging to Hezbollah's Badr unit, a major regional military division responsible for southern Lebanon's territory north of the Litani River up to the Sidon area.
Hezbollah did not immediately comment on the Israeli announcement.
Lebanon's official National News Agency reported Thursday that the Israeli army carried out a powerful explosion at Ali al-Taher Hill on the outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, causing tremors and a loud blast that was strongly heard across Nabatieh and surrounding areas.
The Ali al-Taher Ridge, about 15 km from the Israeli border, has become a key battleground in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Israeli forces remain deployed in territory in southern Lebanon despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire and repeated Lebanese demands for their withdrawal.
Israel says destroyed Hezbollah tunnel network in S. Lebanon
