ホルムズ通航料１バレル１ドルか →「５段階の友好度」で条件変動
A proposal suggests charging a $1 per barrel transit fee for ships using the Strait of Hormuz. Uniquely, this fee would reportedly vary based on a five-tiered "friendship level" with the respective country. This system has ignited online debate over how "friendship" would be assessed and its potential as international leverage.
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Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically vital, extremely narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman (and by extension, the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean) in the Middle East. At its narrowest point, it is only 39 km wide, through which major global tankers traverse. Approximately one-third of the world's liquefied natural gas (LNG) and about one-fifth to one-third of the world's seaborne oil shipments (sometimes cited as 17-21 million barrels per day) are said to pass through this strait. It is effectively the primary route for transporting crude oil from the Middle East to Asia, Europe, and the United States. Should this strait be blocked, it is anticipated to cause catastrophic damage to global energy supply networks and a surge in crude oil prices. Indeed, Iran has previously hinted at blockading the Strait of Hormuz when tensions with countries like the U.S. have risen, and incidents such as attacks on or seizures of tankers passing through have occurred, keeping international concern consistently high. The current discussion about a 'transit fee' is also seen as part of Iran's efforts to exert its influence, set against the geopolitical importance of this strait.
Transit Fee (Toll)
The concept of transit fees or tolls in international straits is a highly complex and delicate issue under international law. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) stipulates that ships have the 'right of transit passage' in straits used for international navigation, and coastal states are generally not permitted to impede such passage or impose unreasonable transit fees. This is a crucial principle for ensuring free maritime traffic and facilitating international trade. However, some countries do collect fees for specific services provided within their jurisdiction (e.g., establishing navigational aids or ensuring route safety), or under special circumstances, collect charges under a name different from 'tax'. The 'transit fee' proposed by Iran, unlike normal navigation assistance services, could potentially have the character of an actual resource tax or a type of tariff, given that it is levied based on the number of barrels of crude oil. If implemented, it would inevitably spark intense debate between various countries and Iran over the interpretation of international law, raising concerns about increased global logistics costs and, consequently, higher energy prices. From Iran's perspective, this introduction of a transit fee is likely being explored as a means to secure financial resources to overcome economic hardship caused by sanctions, or as a political and diplomatic leverage against the international community.
Friendship Level (Five-Tiered)
The proposed idea of varying transit fee conditions based on a 'five-tiered friendship level' is a highly novel and controversial concept in international relations. Generally, there are few precedents in international navigation and trade for a system that alters passage conditions based on a specific country's 'friendship level,' and it could be argued that this violates principles of fairness and non-discrimination under international law. Since the criteria for determining this 'friendship level' are opaque, there is concern that Iran could arbitrarily judge and grant favorable conditions or impose unfavorable ones on specific countries. For instance, if 'friendship level' were to fluctuate based on the degree of economic cooperation with Iran, support for political stances, or attitudes towards specific diplomatic policies, this would amount to using transit fees as a tool for diplomatic bargaining and pressure. If the international community were to accept this, it would significantly influence various countries' policies towards Iran, thereby enhancing Iran's diplomatic and economic influence. On the other hand, it is highly probable that countries would strongly criticize this system for its opaqueness and international legal issues, and resist it. This concept of 'friendship level' possesses a strong aspect as an extremely political tool that could impact the power balance of international politics, beyond mere economic collection.