Iran grants Hormuz toll exception to Russia

Iran's parliament has prepared a draft law imposing new regulations and tolls for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. In a new development, Iran's Ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, has stated that exceptions to these duties have been made for a number of states, including Russia. This move appears to solidify strategic and economic ties between Tehran and Moscow amid heightened tensions with the United States in the region. The announcement comes as the U.S. has ordered its navy to target mine-laying vessels in the strait and is preparing contingency plans for strikes on Iranian defenses there.