France opposes introduction of fees for passage through Strait of Hormuz

France does not support the introduction by Iran and the United States of fees for the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz and considers it a violation of the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters.

This was stated by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on the air of France Inter radio.

"This is unacceptable because the freedom of navigation in international waters is a common heritage of all humanity, which must not be infringed by any restrictions or any rights of passage," the minister said. "No one would accept this, simply because it is illegal," he added.

Barrot stated that with the onset of a ceasefire and the start of negotiations, it is necessary to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, "so that the rest of the world does not become an indirect victim of this conflict." He acknowledged that, at present, even despite the passage of several ships after the start of the ceasefire, navigation in this region is not unimpeded and will not be until a corresponding security protocol is signed between the warring parties.

Another problem, according to him, is convincing shipping companies of the need to take on the risks associated with passage along this route, and insurance companies to insure these vessels. Achieving this, he said, is possible with the presence of a ship escort system, similar to the one already in place in the Red Sea, in which France has participated. He recalled that the organization of such a mission after the end of the conflict is being promoted by French President Emmanuel Macron, and its planning is currently in the final stage.

Earlier, a representative of the Iranian Union of Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Exporters, Hamid Hosseini, told the Financial Times newspaper that the authorities of the Islamic Republic intend to charge $1 per barrel for the passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as to have the ability to inspect any vessel. He specified that the fee would be collected in bitcoins.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated at a regular briefing for journalists that the United States opposes Iran charging fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but the possibility of Washington and Tehran doing so jointly will be discussed in the next two weeks.

Source: TASS