Breaking News: On April 24, Iran announced it would waive toll fees for Spain navigating the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran allows the Kingdom of Spain to freely use the Strait of Hormuz without any restrictions or obstacles impeding the maritime navigation of Spanish ships and oil tankers.
This marks a landmark event in the strategic competition over the Strait of Hormuz. Simply put, under Iran's new rule of charging vessels passing through its "territorial waters," Spain has been designated a "friendly nation" and granted preferential treatment.
This move signifies Iran’s effort to transform control over the Strait of Hormuz into a long-term strategic asset, aiming to legalize and institutionalize its management authority. Iran is pushing ahead with a fee of up to $2 million per vessel, having already collected initial revenues deposited into the central bank—using this mechanism to distinguish between allies and adversaries, particularly targeting Western nations.
Iran is implementing a "categorization-based management" approach: countries such as China, Russia, India, and others deemed "friendly" are exempted, while over 40 nations including the UK, France, and Germany have clearly refused to pay.
By waiving tolls for Spanish vessels and permitting their unrestricted passage without interference, Iran is rewarding Spain’s anti-war stance: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has strongly criticized U.S. and Israeli actions, which Iran views as a country adhering to international law and has publicly praised by the Iranian president.
Spain’s refusal to take sides militarily—repeatedly declining participation in NATO-led escort operations—while consistently upholding its position of “refusing involvement in any action not authorized internationally”—has earned Iran’s goodwill.
The ripple effects of this incident demonstrate to Europe that pursuing an independent foreign policy can yield tangible benefits—a pragmatic choice.
Spain’s stance has enraged U.S. President Trump; this exemption will further intensify divisions between Europe and the United States on Iran policy.
Yet it must also be acknowledged that Iran’s toll practices challenge the established international legal principle that straits must remain open and free for navigation.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863361989094412/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.