Iran Signals Strait Of Hormuz Transit Fees

Iran has announced plans to introduce a system of maritime transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz within two months, following a 60-day negotiation period triggered by the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the United States. 

Presenting the agreement as a strategic victory over Washington, Tehran declared that the waterway remained under Iranian control and warned that any European-led naval escort mission in the strait would be unwelcome. 

The announcement came after the United States lifted



its blockade of Iran on Thursday, allowing oil tankers to resume unrestricted passage through one of the world's most important shipping lanes.

The development coincided with renewed tensions over Israel's military presence in southern Lebanon. According to Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would maintain its security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary to meet its security requirements. Israeli forces currently occupy more than 600 square kilometres of territory along the border.