"Either pay up or prepare for war!" Iran is determined to collect "toll fees" for the Strait of Hormuz, and may implement them by mid-August.

According to two senior Iranian sources, Iran is determined to seek international recognition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz and its right to levy tolls on ships entering and exiting the Persian Gulf, even if it has to resort to force. Under the temporary agreement reached this month with the United States aimed at ending the three-month conflict, Iran has agreed to allow ships to pass through the strait for free within 60 days. However, Iran believes that the wording of the agreement allows it to still decide which ships can pass and which route they should take in this narrow waterway. The sources also stated that Iran is determined to ensure that this control is permanently and officially recognized after the expiration of the temporary agreement. In the peace talks currently being held between the US and Iran, Iranian negotiators will not engage in discussions on other disputed areas until this point is acknowledged. If the temporary agreement is not extended and terminates, Iran will begin charging fees for passage of ships in mid-August. However, Iran has not yet announced the specific fee standards or implementation methods. During times of conflict, Iran had closed the strait and Iranian officials had charged navigation fees or other charges to certain departing ships. Iran seeks permanent control of the Strait of Hormuz If Iran maintains long-term control over the Strait of Hormuz and enforces procedures and collects fees for navigation ships, it will increase costs, delays, and risks for all shipping passing through the waterway. Before the war, this waterway carried one-fifth of the global energy supply and other important supplies. Previously, no tolls had been levied for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran's position is in complete opposition to the interpretation of the temporary understanding memorandum reached with the US on June 17 and the US stance on the final arrangements after the war. Last week, US President Trump stated that ships passing through the strait would not be charged unless the US decided to do so. Secretary of State Pompeo also stated during meetings with Gulf countries that no country has the right to impede navigation or collect tolls on international waterways. The sources stated that Iran's interpretation of the temporary agreement is that Iran can maintain control over all navigation through the strait but will not charge fees during the agreement. In addition, while Iran needs to discuss arrangements with Gulf countries, it has no obligation to reach an agreement with them. Iran announced on Monday plans to hold talks with Oman on the southern bank of the Strait of Hormuz to define the shipping lanes through the waterway. However, over the weekend, four ships attempting to cross the strait from the Oman side without Iran's permission were fired upon by Iran, sparking a brief but intense exchange with the US. One senior official stated that Iran will not let the situation return to pre-war status. Instead, Iran believes it must establish new rules for the Strait of Hormuz, including choosing how ships enter and leave the strait, having the right to refuse entry to any ship suspected of threatening Iran's security, and charging fees for mandatory services provided by Iran. Iran's senior officials: Historical opportunity calls for confrontation with the US again The official added that if other countries do not accept Iran's conditions, Iran is prepared to forcefully implement its demands on the strait issue, even if it leads to increased conflict with the US. Iran will not back down. Another senior Iranian official stated that after successfully resolving what Iran saw as its biggest potential threat war with the US Iran sees a "historical opportunity" to strive for long-term strategic advantage. The official also pointed out that as the costs of the ongoing dispute continue to rise, maritime nations will ultimately accept Iran's management of the strait, and the US, in order to ensure uninterrupted global energy supply, will also accept this. "Both sides do not consider themselves defeated" However, Ali Ansari, professor of modern history at the University of St. Andrews, stated that Iran may have overestimated its bargaining power and misjudged to what extent the US is willing to accept conditions seen as major concessions. "The likelihood of a resumption of conflict is higher than people imagine, as both sides do not consider themselves defeated," he pointed out. Although Oman, as a southern country of the strait, has signed the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, neither Iran nor the US are signatories to the convention. The convention defines the Strait of Hormuz as an international strait. While the strait is in the territorial waters of both Iran and Oman, according to the convention, the status of an international strait requires ensuring freedom of passage. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is widely considered part of customary international law, and the US holds this position as well. Chris Oflaherty, former British Navy colonel and expert in naval operations and law, pointed out that under the convention, Iran can claim a territorial sea width of 12 nautical miles, as opposed to the 3 nautical miles calculated under other maritime law conventions. The strait of Hormuz is only about 20 miles wide at its narrowest point. "This is a highly politicized issue, and most people believe that international law has already settled the matter. However, Iran has decided to challenge this," Oflaherty said.