Iran has officially suspended a 10% freight levy on foreign-flagged vessels transporting oil, gas, and liquid petroleum products. The directive, issued by the presidential legal deputy, took effect on September 10, 2026, and aims to reduce operational costs for international carriers.
The decision follows the June 2026 Islamabad Memorandum, an agreement between US President Trump and Iranian President Pezeshkian. That document previously proposed a 60-day toll-free period as part of a ceasefire extension, though underlying geopolitical tensions remain unresolved.
The suspension is a response to the ongoing US naval blockade, which has restricted Iran's seaborne energy exports. While the fee reduction is significant, industry analysts note that broader challenges, such as sanctions enforcement, insurance availability, and risks related to the US financial system, persist.
Authorities are currently preparing an official list of specific products covered by the new policy. No shipping companies or individual vessels have been identified as participants in the updated logistics framework yet.
