The secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council says Iran is charging fees for ships to safely transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi is the first top official to accuse Iran of charging for safe passage through the strait.
That’s the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of traded oil once passed.
Al-Budaiwi oversees the bloc of six Gulf Arab nations including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
He spoke during a news conference Thursday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
