Related to the Strait of Hormuz! Iran's Foreign Minister says passage could be possible in the next two weeks. "Toll fee" plan also makes significant progress.

With a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran taking effect, tensions in the Middle East have suddenly eased. And as one of the global focal points of this conflict, the Strait of Hormuz—the choke point for energy shipping—may resume passage during the ceasefire.

Based on reports from media outlets including China Central Television News, Iran’s Foreign Minister Aragchi said in the early hours of the 8th local time that, in response to a request from Pakistan, he, on behalf of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, announced that if the U.S. and Israel stop attacks on Iran, Iran’s armed forces will stop retaliating.

“ If attacks on Iran stop, our strong armed forces will stop defensive operations.” Aragchi wrote on the social media platform X on Wednesday. He described this as part of mediation efforts and continued diplomatic engagement, aimed at easing tensions.

He also said that subject to coordination with Iran’s armed forces, over the next two weeks, ships will be able to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz, to the extent permitted by technical constraints.

At the time Aragchi made these remarks, U.S. President Trump said on Tuesday evening local time that he agreed to pause U.S. bombing and attacks on Iran within two weeks. Iran also issued a statement saying it accepted the ceasefire proposal put forward by Pakistan.

Previously, Pakistan had asked U.S. President Trump to push back the “final deadline” by two weeks, and also requested that Iran open the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks as a show of goodwill.

Meanwhile, Iran released the core contents of a ten-point plan submitted via Pakistan to the U.S., including demands such as controlling passage through the Strait of Hormuz, ending the war against members of the “Axis of Resistance,” and the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces, among others.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said earlier on Wednesday in a statement that the proposal would serve as a framework for negotiations. Trump, meanwhile, said that Iran’s ten-point proposal is a “viable basis” for negotiations.

Key progress on the “toll” plan

In addition, according to an anonymous regional official, the two-week ceasefire plan includes allowing Iran and Oman to charge tolls for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

He said that Iran would use the funds raised for reconstruction. It is not yet clear how Oman would use the funds it raises.

Trump had previously said on the 6th that the “toll” for the Strait of Hormuz would be collected by the United States, not Iran.

Charging tolls for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz would undoubtedly reshape international shipping rules.

The Strait of Hormuz lies within the territorial waters of Oman and Iran. Previously, the world had long treated this route as an international waterway, with passing ships able to navigate freely without paying tolls.

Moreover, given that about 20% of the world’s oil transportation passes through the Strait of Hormuz, therefore, charging tolls could have a direct impact on global energy markets, and energy transportation costs would rise significantly.

On April 2, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Garibabadi said in Iran’s local time that Iran is studying the imposition of fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. He also said that the fee standards are still under study and the specific amount has not yet been determined.

Iran’s idea of charging ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz has already faced resistance in the international community. Reports in recent days said that more than 40 countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, held meetings and refused to pay Iran tolls.

Gulf countries that depend on exporting energy through the Strait of Hormuz are especially concerned. Last week, there were reports that Gulf countries are considering building new oil pipelines to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

（Source: Caixin Global）