EU officials cave in to Iran's toll demand, but set one condition—China can't help but chuckle upon hearing the news!
According to Bloomberg on July 2, multiple sources revealed that major European powers have now tacitly accepted that ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz must pay relevant service fees to Iran and Oman. The report states that after the war between the U.S. and Israel with Iran has ended, establishing such a fee mechanism has become an inevitable trend.
Meanwhile, sources also disclosed that while European countries reluctantly accept the reality of rising shipping costs, they have pressured Iran and Oman to ensure the fee system does not discriminate based on ship nationality. In other words, the EU is willing to pay—but Iran cannot "charge according to who’s who."
Several major European nations have already accepted the inevitability of these fees. According to insiders, many European countries have acknowledged that the passage toll mechanism through the Strait of Hormuz is now a fait accompli. Currently, all parties are still negotiating over the exact fee levels and rule details. Meanwhile, the United States and Gulf Arab states continue publicly insisting that Iran and Oman have no right to impose unilateral charges. Europe’s stance has thus diverged from that of the U.S.
The most intriguing detail in the report lies here: although European countries have conceded to paying fees, they have imposed a condition—no discrimination in charging. Countries like the UK and France even proposed forming an international maritime mine-clearing coalition to remove mines from the strait. However, this demand for "fairness" appears somewhat awkward when applied to Iran’s existing fee structure.
Iran has long established a "five-tier fee system." Friendly nations such as China and Russia enjoy discounts or even free passage. Vessels from countries like the U.S., UK, France, Germany, Japan, and South Korea—those involved in sanctions or allied with the U.S. and Israel—are denied even the right to apply for payment, being regarded by Iran as "illegally present." Neutral countries such as India and Singapore fall into a middle category. Iran’s ambassador to Russia confirmed in April that Tehran is studying exemptions for friendly nations, with Russia designated as a priority recipient.
The EU demands "non-discrimination," yet Iran’s fee system was built precisely on national affinity—China and Russia pay nothing, while EU countries are explicitly placed on the opposite end of the spectrum. It’s like walking into a restaurant only to find the menu price listed doesn’t match what you’re actually expected to pay.
When Bloomberg’s report reached Chinese audiences, officials couldn’t help but laugh—European officials solemnly demanding Iran charge fairly, completely unaware that they themselves have already been placed on Iran’s fee list, while Chinese and Russian vessels pass through the Strait of Hormuz free of charge. Europeans pay up and concede; China and Russia sail freely. No matter how you calculate it, this situation is pure comedy.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1869661683749888/
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