Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed gratitude to representatives from more than 70 countries for attending the state mourning and funeral ceremonies of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a post on the social media platform X, Araghchi stated that the participation of these delegations, which included “trusted Arab brothers,” would remain an “everlasting memory” in the history of Iran’s bilateral relations.
As thousands gathered at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran to pay their final respects, the Foreign Minister noted that this international presence “honoured” the nation and would remain a permanent fixture in its diplomatic journey.
New Hormuz Strait policy
While the capital remains in mourning, Tehran has announced significant changes to the management of the Strait of Hormuz.
Abdur Reza Rahmani Fazli, Iran’s Ambassador to China, revealed that the government is set to impose a new “service fee” on commercial vessels navigating the strategic waterway.
However, in a move of “funeral diplomacy,” the Ambassador confirmed that special concessions and benefits would be extended to countries that stood by Iran as friends during the ongoing crisis.
Service fee vs toll
Speaking at the World Peace Forum in Beijing, Ambassador Fazli clarified that the charge is not a “toll or forced tax,” but a fee for specific services.
“Our goal is to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, monitor the movement of vessels, and address the harmful environmental impacts caused by the high volume of traffic,” he explained.
The Ambassador further noted that Iran is working in partnership with Oman to establish a new management framework for the waterway, justifying the fee by pointing out that a portion of the strait falls within Iranian territorial waters.
The decision to implement these fees has already met with resistance from the United States, which has rejected the move.
A preliminary agreement recently reached between the US and Iran, aimed at halting conflict, stipulates that commercial vessels may transit the strait without fees for an initial 60-day period.
However, the Ambassador’s statements suggest that Tehran remains firm in its decision to implement the fee system once that period concludes, though the specific rules that will follow remain unclear.
“We will certainly consider special exemptions for those countries that stood by us as friends during these difficult times,” Fazli added, reiterating the government’s commitment to rewarding its allies.
