Iran has developed a system to regulate shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, dividing all countries into “hostile“, “neutral“ and “friendly“, Al Jazeera reports.
“Hostile“ countries will be prohibited from passing through the strait, while “neutral“ countries will be required to pay a fee.
The channel notes that this measure represents a “change in the status“ of the strait, which is guaranteed by international conventions, and Iran's intention would be a “serious blow“ to Gulf states.
The previous day, Iran rejected a US proposal for a 48-hour ceasefire, the Fars news agency reported. The source also said that “US diplomatic efforts to end hostilities have intensified“, especially after a reported strike on a US military warehouse in Kuwait.
Tehran announced that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz on the morning of February 28, after US and Israeli strikes on Iran began. Commercial shipping through the strait - about 20% of the world's oil supplies pass through it - has virtually stopped. Iran later announced that it was imposing a fee.
In mid-March, more than 30 countries said they were ready to contribute to ensuring safe passage through the strait. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington did not need help to lift the blockade.
On April 2 Iran proposed the creation of a “Hormuz Pact“ for the use of the strait – the document is expected to formalize the conditions for the use of these waters by Arab and Asian countries.