Iran has warned the US against any military move, saying only commercial ships will be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil-transport waterway.
The head of Iran's National Security Commission, Ibrahim Azizi, said commercial ships will be allowed to pass 'with permission from the headquarters of the armed forces, especially the navy, through certain routes and after paying the fees of the Iranian people'.
The fees, reportedly $2 million per ship, have been charged to some vessels over the past two weeks, with Iran's parliament member Alaeddin Boroujerdi saying it reflects the country's strength.
The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea, has become a critical maritime chokepoint for ships carrying oil, gas, and other commodities.
