LIVE-TICKER - Iran admits economic difficulties +++ Pakistan's army chief travels to Tehran

Iran has stated its intention to impose transit fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, attributing the move to environmental damage caused by decades of shipping pollution. Ismail Baghai, spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, argued on platform X that parties benefiting from maritime traffic bear a legal and moral obligation to contribute to environmental remediation. He asserted that the massive pollution of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman has caused trillions of dollars in damage to Iran, though he did not specify the environmental protection measures envisioned.

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The Strait of Hormuz remains blocked and will only reopen once Iran's conditions are accepted.

This development occurs amidst a tense standoff between Iran and the United States over the strategic waterway. Iran's newly established authority for the strait (PGSA) directly contradicted U.S. President Donald Trump's claims of American control. The PGSA declared on X that the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked and will only reopen once Iran's conditions are accepted. Trump had repeatedly asserted U.S. control, stating, "It belongs to us," and threatening that any Iranian action would be swiftly repelled.

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They belong to us. The Iranians will perhaps do something at some point, and then they will be swept away.

Meanwhile, reports from Pakistani security circles suggest an impending extension of the ceasefire agreement, initially brokered in mid-June between the U.S. and Iran, with Pakistan acting as mediator. Additionally, an agreement between Iran and Oman regarding shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is reportedly close to finalization, potentially before Saturday. These diplomatic efforts aim to de-escalate tensions, though the UK Maritime Trade Operations has noted continued threats and attacks by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, posing risks of drifting mines and limiting commercial traffic.

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The massive, decades-long pollution of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman has caused trillions of dollars in damage to Iran.