{"text":[[{"start":7.85,"text":"Iran has said it reserves the right to charge ships “insurance fees” for passage through the Strait of Hormuz as it seeks to establish control over the waterway following the interim peace deal with Washington."}],[{"start":20.2,"text":"In a document circulated among shipping industry executives and seen by the FT, Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority said that “all vessels must hold a valid insurance policy approved by the PGSA”."}],[{"start":32.35,"text":"While this would be provided “free of charge” for the moment, the PGSA — a government agency created in May — said it “reserves the right to introduce insurance fees in the future, which will be determined by the relevant insurer”."}],[{"start":46.8,"text":"As part of the US-Iran peace deal, Iran agreed to allow traffic through the critical waterway — through which about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas previously flowed — to prewar levels, and not to charge for its use for 60 days."}],[{"start":61.949999999999996,"text":"The introduction of insurance fees would confirm fears in the shipping industry that Iran is seeking to establish a new regime over the strait that would force ships to pay for its use. This would contravene the UN’s Convention on the Law of the Sea and the right of free passage in international waters."}],[{"start":80.64999999999999,"text":"An Iranian official, who asked not to be named, said: “The text of the memorandum of understanding is clear. For a period of 60 days from the date the MoU entered into force, vessel traffic will be carried out without any charges being collected.”"}],[{"start":95.6,"text":"After that period, the official added, Iran and Oman would agree a format that “will likely include fees related to service provision and safe passage”."}],[{"start":103.89999999999999,"text":"The official said details still need to be finalised between Iran and Oman, and “the text states that this will be done in consultation with the countries of the region”. "}],[{"start":113.44999999999999,"text":"Oman, whose territorial waters flow through the strait on the western side, has previously said it would not charge tolls, but a person briefed on the situation this month said it was considering “lawful charges” for services covering environmental mitigation and “enhanced navigational management including pilotage and security”."}],[{"start":133.29999999999998,"text":"Iran on Friday fired warning shots at ships in the strait, according to two people familiar with the situation."}],[{"start":140.1,"text":"They said Tehran issued a radio broadcast to ships saying: “Given that the withdrawal of Israel from Lebanon, the complete lifting of the naval blockade, and the departure of American terrorist forces . . . are core conditions for an agreement between Iran and the United States, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until these two conditions are met."}],[{"start":160.4,"text":"“All vessels are hereby instructed to avoid approaching the Strait of Hormuz for their own safety and security. Any vessel that disregards this order will be targeted.”"}],[{"start":171.9,"text":"Tehran had previously said that it would charge ships $2mn in cryptocurrency for passage through the strait. Neither Iran nor the US is party to the UN convention."}],[{"start":183,"text":"Under the terms of the interim US-Iran deal, Tehran is due to hold talks with Oman and other Gulf states “to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait”. The outcome should be “in line with the applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states”, the agreement says."}],[{"start":203.05,"text":"Iran’s leverage over the strait has become one of the most contentious elements of talks between the two sides, along with tensions over the unwinding of Iran’s nuclear programme and hostilities between Israel and Hizbollah in Lebanon."}],[{"start":215.70000000000002,"text":"Since it was established, the PGSA has been placed under sanctions by the US, leaving a conundrum for ship operators as they try to work out when they will be able to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz."}],[{"start":226.75000000000003,"text":"The PGSA document also set out the route that ships should take through the strait, giving coordinates for a shipping lane close to the Iranian coast."}],[{"start":235.10000000000002,"text":"“Any deviation from or use of alternative routes is strictly prohibited and will be treated as a violation,” the PGSA said."}],[{"start":242.65000000000003,"text":"Shipowners have been hesitant to use shipping routes other than those laid out by Iran — or one hugging the Omani coast that was used by some vessels during the conflict — because of fears that Iran has placed mines in the middle of the waterway."}],[{"start":255.40000000000003,"text":"Despite a rush of ships to exit the Gulf on Thursday, traffic on Friday morning was subdued as the latest US-Iran agreement came under strain because of Israeli strikes on Lebanon."}],[{"start":267.55,"text":"The International Maritime Organization said it was still working on a humanitarian corridor to get sailors, some of whom have been stuck for more than 100 days, out of the Gulf."}],[{"start":278.90000000000003,"text":"“We are also gathering necessary security guarantees — to ensure that all transits will be free from any hazards including potential mines,” said IMO secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez."}],[{"start":290.90000000000003,"text":"Additional reporting by Andrew England and Najmeh Bozorgmehr"}],[{"start":302.75000000000006,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1781873140_1651.mp3"}