The Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:
"Egypt charges hundreds of thousands of dollars for every passage through the Suez Canal, with fees exceeding one million dollars for large container ships and tankers. Turkey imposes transit fees for vessels passing through the Bosphorus Strait. Canada charges fees for the St. Lawrence Seaway. Panama collects hundreds of thousands of dollars per transit, reaching up to 500,000 dollars for large Neo-Panamax vessels. The United States also charges fees related to the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Yet when Iran keeps the Strait of Hormuz open for free passage for decades, without imposing any transit fees, despite facing sanctions, isolation, and relentless accusations, it is portrayed as the problem.
Isn’t it hypocritical to condemn Iran while ignoring the fact that many other countries profit from controlling vital waterways? And you still expect me to believe that Iran is the ‘bad guy’ here?"
Author: Saikat Bhattacharya
