Iran's Central Bank Says First Tolls Paid On Strait Of Hormuz Passage

TEHRAN, April 24 (Bernama-dpa) -- The Central Bank of Iran on Thursday confirmed that it has received the first fees for the passage of merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz. 

According to the Fars news agency, the payments were received in cash or foreign currency, but not in cryptocurrency, reported German news agency dpa. 

The report said the charges depend on the type and quantity of cargo carried, as well as the "risk level." 

The bank did not specify any concrete sums. Industry sources had previously reported charges of up to US$2 million per passage.

Tehran officially refers to the levies as security fees or tolls.

Meanwhile, the US military is maintaining a naval blockade against Iranian ports, which began on  April 13. 

This is specifically targeting ships entering or leaving Iran in order to increase economic pressure on the country.

--BERNAMA-dpa