The War Department’s confirmation came after Hamidreza Hajibabaei, the deputy speaker of Iran’s parliament, claimed that Iran, not the United States, was now making demands after the first revenues for newly implemented tolls on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz were deposited into the state’s central bank.
“We have control over this Strait,” Hajibabaei said during a public gathering in the western city of Kuhdasht via ABC News.
“If the United States continues on its current course, no vessels will pass through the Strait of Hormuz,” he added. “We are not engaged in negotiations — rather, we are making demands.”
Alireza Salimi, also a member of the Iranian parliament, confirmed the deposit of revenues during an interview with Tasnim News Agency on Thursday (April 23).
“The amount collected from each ship depends on its cargo and level of risk they pose,” Salimi said, according to the semi-official news outlet.
“Iran determines how much and how these fees are collected, in other words, we determine the rules,” he added.
Iran blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, which serves as a vital waterway for trade along the Persian Gulf responsible for an estimated 20% of the world’s oil supply traveling through, in response to the United States and Israel’s ‘Operation Epic Fury’ prior to its ceasefire agreement and most recently due to Israel’s failed truce with Lebanon. The blockade has led to gas prices soaring in the United States as the price of oil surpassed $100 per barrel multiple times.
Iran’s comments on toll revene came days after Trump agreed to extend the ceasefire agreement with Iran ahead of its deadline Wednesday (April 22).
“Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” Trump said. “I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”
Trump had previously said he wasn’t interested in extending the agreement if a deal wasn’t met by the deadline and expected expected “to be bombing” while speaking to CNBC‘s Squawk Box hours prior on Tuesday.
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