SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - The Iranian government rejected allegations that it plans to impose transit tolls on commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz, announcing a joint maritime security mechanism with Oman, the Embassy of Iran in Seoul said Monday.
Any financial or logistical shifts in the strait directly impact South Korea, which faces a deepening energy security crisis. Thanks to the country's effort to diversify its sources for crude oil, South Korea's reliance on Middle Eastern crude oil recently fell below 50 percent for the first time, dropping from 69.1 percent last year to 48.5 percent, as the ongoing blockade and military risks force importers to seek alternative routes.
The Embassy of Iran in the Republic of Korea said in a statement that the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmaeel Baghaei explained that potential charges would only cover operational costs for services related to maritime navigation, environmental protection, and shipping safety, stressing that these measures should not be interpreted as passage fees or restrictions on international shipping. Baghaei rejected recent claims by United States officials accusing Iran of attempting to nationalize the critical energy corridor, describing the accusations as misleading and inconsistent with international law.
The diplomatic exchange occurred during an ongoing war between the U.S. and Iran, which officially began on February 28. The conflict has severely restricted navigation in the region, culminating in a May 4 attack on the South Korean-operated bulk carrier HMM NAMU. The newly built 38,314-ton vessel was struck by unidentified airborne objects while anchored near the United Arab Emirates, rendering the ship inoperable but resulting in no casualties among the 24 crew members.
Following the attack, U.S. President Donald Trump accused Iran of executing the strike, an allegation Tehran formally denied. In response to the incident, the South Korean government dispatched a special investigation team to Dubai, where the disabled vessel was towed for inspection.
The proposed security mechanism being developed by Iran and Oman aims to preserve freedom of international trade and prevent military misuse of the waterway. "Iran is not seeking to impose transit tolls in the Strait of Hormuz," Baghaei said.
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