Iran will exempt Russia from shipping fees in Strait of Hormuz, its ambassador in Moscow says

Iran is to make Russia exempt from any tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, according to its ambassador to Moscow.

In remarks reported by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, Ambassador Kazem Jalili said several countries, including Russia, would not be charged fees for passing through the contested waterway.

"We've currently provided exceptions for some countries, but I don't know what will happen in the future," he said. "However, our foreign ministry is currently trying to implement the exceptions envisioned for friendly countries, such as Russia."

The U.S. military has imposed a blockade for more than two weeks on Iran's ports, which was expanded to include any vessels transporting Iranian energy products or other suspected contraband. Many commercial vessels linked to Iran and Russia are subject to U.S. sanctions, which would make them subject to interdiction by American forces.

Despite multiple reports of Iran-linked vessels continuing to transit the strait, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth insisted again on Friday that no ships deemed to be in violation of the blockade were making it through.