Iran’s foreign ministry said that Tehran was collecting fees for “navigational services” on ships transiting the strategic Strait of Hormuz, rather than imposing tolls, AFP reports.

“The services that are provided — navigational services in addition to the measures necessary to protect the environment of the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman — require the collection of certain fees,” said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing.

He added that Iran was “not seeking to collect tolls”.