Representatives from over 70 countries attend Khamenei's funeral, Iran announces 'friends' discount in Hormuz

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has thanked representatives from over 70 countries for attending the state funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling their participation "a lasting memory" in the history of bilateral relations.

In a post on social media platform X, Araghchi said, "Representatives from more than 70 countries have come to pay respect to our Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Among them are our trusted Arab brothers. Their presence has pleased Iran." He added that this historic memory will remain forever in their bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, Iran's ambassador to China, Abdur Reza Rahmani Fazli, has announced that Tehran will impose new service fees on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. However, countries that stood by Iran during the ongoing crisis will receive special concessions.

The recent preliminary agreement between the US and Iran to end the war stated that commercial vessels would be allowed to transit the strait without fees for the first 60 days. It remains unclear what rules will apply after that period.

Speaking at the World Peace Forum in Beijing, the Iranian ambassador said Iran is working with Oman on joint partnership and cooperation to establish a new management system for the strategic waterway.

"A part of the Strait of Hormuz falls within our territorial waters. So we will certainly impose service fees there," Fazli said, clarifying that this is not a toll or a compulsory tax.

Explaining the purpose of the new management system, the ambassador said the goal is to ensure safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, monitor vessel movement, and address the harmful environmental impact caused by the large number of ships.

Assuring friends in times of danger, Fazli said, "Countries that stood by us as friends during difficult times will certainly be considered for special concessions when it comes to collecting these fees."