textdi.com - An Iranian official says that while "there is no toll" on the Strait of Hormuz, the regime is working to regulate the waterway and that ships wishing to cross will likely be required to make some form of payment.At a press briefing in Tehran attended by the ABC, the regime issued its first direct response to statements from the United States over the weekend, suggesting a deal to end the war was close and would include opening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran did say a framework to end the war with the US had been reached, but warned an agreement was not imminent, and its nuclear program was not part of the negotiations. The ABC was in the room for the briefing and was permitted to ask a question — one we were required to submit in advance.We asked:"We would like to know under what conditions will Iran agree to open the Strait of Hormuz? Will there be tolls imposed on ships? Will there be different conditions for different countries?"Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei responded:"There is no toll "That is a separate thing, but not a toll." Since Iran effectively closed the strait, only a trickle of vessels has passed through compared with about 125 to 140 daily before the conflict began.The strait's closure has caused a spike in oil prices and triggered an energy crisis, which has driven up costs of fuel, fertiliser and food.

Inside the Tehran press conference where the ABC was the only Western media present

An Iranian official says that while "there is no toll" on the Strait of Hormuz, the regime is working to regulate the waterway and that ships wishing to cross will likely be required to make some form of payment.At a press briefing in Tehran attended by the ABC, the regime issued its first direct response to statements from the United States over the weekend, suggesting a deal to end the war was close and would include opening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran did say a framework to end the war with the US had been reached, but warned an agreement was not imminent, and its nuclear program was not part of the negotiations. The ABC was in the room for the briefing and was permitted to ask a question — one we were required to submit in advance.We asked:"We would like to know under what conditions will Iran agree to open the Strait of Hormuz? Will there be tolls imposed on ships? Will there be different conditions for different countries?"Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei responded:"There is no toll "That is a separate thing, but not a toll." Since Iran effectively closed the strait, only a trickle of vessels has passed through compared with about 125 to 140 daily before the conflict began.The strait's closure has caused a spike in oil prices and triggered an energy crisis, which has driven up costs of fuel, fertiliser and food.