Iran waives Strait of Hormuz fees during 60-day peace negotiation period

⁠Iran’s ⁠Strait of ⁠Hormuz body said on Friday it would waive planned fees to use ‌the strait during a 60-day negotiation period under the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States ⁠this week.Ships seeking passage through ‌the strait while the interim agreement was in ‌force must submit transit requests ⁠at ⁠least 48 hours before arrival, ‌Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority said ‌in a ‌notice.Iran will waive ‌fees for security, safety, ⁠environmental services and related insurance during the ⁠period, while requiring vessels to coordinate routes and ‌transit times ‌in advance due to areas affected by mines and to ensure safe navigation.A total of 25 commercial vessels crossed the newly reopened strait on Thursday, the highest number since mid-April, according to data from maritime tracking firm AXSMarine published on Friday.Ships waiting to transit through the Strait of Hormuz are seen from Musandam, Oman, on Friday. Photo: ReutersOn Thursday, “we observed 25 verified commercial vessel crossings through the Strait of Hormuz – the highest single-day count since April 18 and more than five times the average daily level recorded during the first 10 days of June”, AXSMarine said in a news release.Iranian forces effectively closed off the strait after US and Israeli strikes sparked the war on February 28. Maritime authorities reported dozens of attacks on ships in the area.