Iran Must Not Turn the Strait of Hormuz into a ‘Tollgate’

Foreign ministers of the U.S. and other G7 countries have expressed opposition to Iranian lawmakers’ proposal to turn the Strait of Hormuz into a “tollgate.” If the Iranian government intends to continue blocking the international strait and leveraging its influence even after the war, then we, too, have no choice but to clearly express our opposition. Iran must give up this foolish idea, which will turn the entire international community into its enemy, and engage in serious discussions with the U.S. about re-opening the strait. The United States, on the other hand, should avoid extreme measures, such as deploying ground troops, and instead propose reasonable compromises that would ease Iran’s national security concerns.

On March 27 (local time), foreign ministers of the G7 nations published a joint statement “reiterat[ing] the absolute necessity to permanently restore safe and [toll-free] freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, consistent with UNSC Resolution 2817 and the Law of the Sea.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said that Iran’s plan to establish a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz is “[n]ot only … illegal; it’s unacceptable.”

Reports from Iranian media suggest the bill imposing tolls on ships using the Strait of Hormuz is imminent, alarming the international community. Quoting the chairman of the Iranian parliament’s Civil Affairs Committee, semi-official news agencies such as the Fars News Agency and the Tasnim News Agency reported on March 26 that a draft law has been prepared and will soon be finalized by the Islamic Consultative Assembly’s legal team. It has been further reported that one of Iran’s key conditions to ending the war is “[s]overeignty over the Strait of Hormuz, which is and will remain [its] natural and legal right.”

It has been confirmed that Iran's tollgate system is already partially operational. Since March 13, 26 ships have reportedly been screened by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps while passing through the strait. Of these, at least two vessels reportedly paid tolls in Chinese yuan.

This is a serious threat to the freedom of navigation. However, now that Iran has learned of the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz through the war, it will not easily back down. In the worst case, the U.S. may irresponsibly leave the matter for strait-dependent nations to resolve on their own. Even after the war ends, there is the frustrating possibility that passage through the strait will not be as free as before. As Korea’s vital national interests are at stake with this ongoing issue, we should work in solidarity with the international community and do our utmost in seeking a resolution.