Speaking in Moscow, Iran’s ambassador Kazem Jalali confirmed that the exemption is already in place, adding that the Foreign Ministry is working to keep it intact. The tone was measured, but the message carried weight.

‘There are countries we consider friends, and for now, they are exempt,’ he said a line that hints at selective relief in an otherwise tightening framework. But the diplomatic door, it seems, swings both ways.

Jalali made it clear that while Iran is open to negotiations, it is not stepping back from confrontation if pushed. ‘If the other side seeks talks, we are ready. But if they lean toward conflict, we are prepared for that as well,’ he noted a statement that walks a fine line between reassurance and warning.

Earlier, Iranian Deputy Speaker Hamid Reza revealed that revenue from newly imposed tolls in the Strait has already started flowing in. According to him, the first payments have been deposited into the central bank’s account.

Details, however, remain thin. Reports cited by U.S. media suggest that no clear breakdown has been provided on who paid the fees or how the amounts were calculated. That silence leaves room for speculation and perhaps, strategic ambiguity.

Here’s the broader picture: the Strait of Hormuz isn’t just a shipping lane; it’s a pressure point. By offering exemptions to allies while collecting fees from others, Iran appears to be drawing subtle lines rewarding alignment, while reminding the rest of its influence over a critical global chokepoint.

It’s not just about fees. It’s about signaling. And right now, the signal is clear: cooperation has its perks, but the cost of standing outside that circle may be rising.