International News
Iran imposes $2 million transit fee on select ships in Strait of Hormuz
Tehran, March 23: Iran has begun charging certain vessels a transit fee of $2 million (approximately Rs 18.8 crore) to pass through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, in what officials describe as a new assertion of control amid its ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on X that the strait remains “open to everyone” — except for Iran’s adversaries — outlining Tehran’s latest stance on access to the crucial maritime route.
The policy has already been implemented, according to Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi, who spoke to state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), as cited by Iran International. Boroujerdi said the move represents a shift toward what he called a new “sovereign regime” governing the waterway.
“Collecting $2 million as transit fees from some vessels crossing the strait reflects Iran’s strength,” Boroujerdi said.
“Now, because war has costs, naturally we must do this and take transit fees from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz,” he added, claiming the policy demonstrates the Islamic Republic’s “authority.”
Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said that the Strait of Hormuz is not blocked and navigation continues in the waterway, with necessary measures being taken due to wartime conditions.
In a statement elaborating on Iran’s positions amid ongoing US and Israeli attacks, the ministry said that Iran has always respected the freedom of navigation and maritime security and safety, adding that it has worked to uphold those principles over the years.
The ministry noted that following the US and Israeli military “aggression” against Iran, a dangerous situation has been imposed on the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, directly impacting regional shipping safety and security.
Claiming its legitimate right to self-defence against the “aggressors,” Iran has targeted US military bases and facilities in the region while adopting a series of measures to ensure that the “aggressors” and their supporters do not exploit the strait to advance their aggressive goals against the country, it said.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions following a warning from former US President Donald Trump, who said the United States could strike Iran’s power infrastructure if the strait is not reopened within 48 hours.
Trump stated that if Iran failed to comply, the US would destroy its “various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!”
International News
Iran’s supreme leader meets judiciary chief, urges compensation for US-Israeli ‘crimes’

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has stressed the need for “serious” efforts to pursue the Iranian people’s rights and ensure the payment of compensation for the damages inflicted on the country during the US-Israeli attacks.
The issues were highlighted in a meeting between the supreme leader and the country’s Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, according to a statement published on the leader’s website on Saturday.
Among the issues underlined during the meeting were promoting justice, safeguarding public rights, fighting corruption and its root causes effectively, handling judicial cases promptly, precisely and decisively, enforcing judicial rulings in a timely and deterrent manner, and bringing about a “comprehensive and tangible” transformation in the country’s judicial apparatus.
The other matters included the necessity to draw up plans and make efforts to decisively fight crimes as well as to seriously pursue the restoration of the Iranian people’s rights and compensation for the material and non-material damages resulting from the “crimes perpetrated by the US-Israeli criminals,” reports Xinhua news agency.
On February 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities.
Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US bases and assets in the region, and tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Friday raised the prospect of renewed military strikes against Iran, claiming that the United States could seize all of the country’s oil or even take over the entire country.
“Iran is not able to do much now. And we could, if we wanted to, just take all of the oil,” Trump told reporters as he left the White House for a rally in Florida. “We could take the whole country.”
Asked about US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz saying the conflict with Iran could drag on for another year, Trump said: “We could end it very quickly … The question is, ‘Do we want to finish it off or do we just want to let it wither?'”
Later at the Florida rally, Trump suggested another military operation against Iran was possible.
“We may do another little Epic Fury,” he told attendees, referring to the large-scale US military operation against Iran launched on February 28 alongside a coordinated Israeli offensive.
Trump’s latest remarks came amid reports that the US and Israeli militaries have drawn up plans for renewed strikes against Iran after the US midterm elections. However, whether Trump will ultimately authorise another military operation remains uncertain, according to US media reports.
International News
Iranian Speaker Qalibaf unable to attend BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf will be unable to attend the Meeting of Speakers of the Parliaments of BRICS Member Countries in New Delhi next week due to “certain unforeseen circumstances”, the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi stated on Saturday.
The Parliament of India will host the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on October 26-27 in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.
“The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi wishes to inform that, due to certain unforeseen circumstances, H.E. Dr. Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, will be unable to attend the Meeting of Speakers of the Parliaments of BRICS Member Countries in New Delhi,” read a statement issued by the Iranian Embassy on Saturday.
“It is also emphasised that the parliamentary delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran will participate in the meeting. As one of the members of BRICS, Iran reaffirms its commitment to active and effective participation at the highest levels in the summits and meetings of this grouping,” it added.
According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the country’s delegation will continue its dialogue and consultations with delegations from BRICS member countries in New Delhi, with a view to expanding and deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation, particularly in the field of parliamentary relations and cooperation.
“The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran also expresses its sincere appreciation to the Government of the Republic of India for its gracious hospitality and the arrangements made to host this meeting. It wishes the Meeting of Speakers of the Parliaments of BRICS Member Countries every success and hopes that it will yield constructive outcomes towards strengthening cooperation and engagement among member countries,” the statement added.
Several global parliamentary leaders will assemble in New Delhi for the conference being hosted under India’s chairship on the theme of people-centric development.
Earlier this week, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla mentioned that the conference marks a new chapter in the history of India’s parliamentary diplomacy. It will bring together Presiding Officers and parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner countries, Union Ministers, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, Presiding Officers of State Legislatures, Members of Parliament and other dignitaries.
The Lok Sabha Speaker stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would grace the event and meet the leaders of the visiting delegations.
He further stated that the conference would feature bilateral and multilateral interactions with the leaders of visiting delegations and parliamentary friendship groups. A meeting of the Secretaries of the delegations will be held on Monday to finalise the Joint Statement of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum.
Highlighting the central theme of the programme, he said that the forum would deliberate on the overarching theme of ‘Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development’.
He added that, building on the legacy of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum would facilitate consensus-based dialogue through four high-level sessions, titled Resilience: The critical role of parliaments in strengthening institutions to ensure a better future; Innovation: Promoting human-centred innovation in artificial intelligence and digital technologies through parliaments; Cooperation: Ensuring a more representative system of global governance through parliamentary cooperation; and, Sustainability: The role of parliaments in ensuring a sustainable and inclusive future for our countries.
Members of the delegations will visit the Parliament of India and also enjoy cultural visits in Delhi.
International News
Hindu American parents push US teachers to rethink how Hinduism is taught

A Hindu American parents’ group is taking its campaign to change how Hinduism is taught in American schools directly to teachers, saying it found educators receptive to “accurate and culturally sensitive” material at a New Jersey conference attended by about 200 teachers.
The Hindu Parents Network (HPN) said it sponsored an interactive session on “Accurate and Culturally Sensitive Teaching of Hinduism in a Changing World” at the 2026 New Jersey Teachers Conference.
The session “addressed common misrepresentations, discussed classroom challenges, and shared practical resources to support educators”, the group said in a message to supporters on Friday.
“The response was overwhelmingly positive. Educators recognised the need for accurate resources and welcomed practical solutions,” it said.
“What if we could transform how thousands of students understand Hindu Dharma and history by empowering the educators who teach them?” the group asked, as it appealed for funds to take the effort nationwide.
HPN said it wants to develop “accurate, classroom-ready educational resources”, reach more educators through conferences and workshops, and “work with school districts to address misrepresentations”.
The group says its goal is to ensure “the next generation learns about Hindu dharma through resources that are bias-free, accurate, culturally sensitive, and respectful”.
In its mid-year report, HPN said it supported six new engagements with school districts in 2026 over curriculum bias, misrepresentation of Hindus and culturally sensitive teaching.
The group publishes “Hinduism for Schools” handbooks for primary and secondary classes and free lesson plans, slides and quizzes on topics such as Holi, which it says are meant to complement textbooks.
Earlier this month, HPN launched an educational video for Hindu Heritage Month on the contributions of Hindu civilisation.
Indian American and Hindu American groups have for years contested the portrayal of Hinduism in US textbooks, most prominently in California’s history-social science curriculum debates.
The push comes at a sensitive time for the community. Hindu American organisations have reported a rise in online hate, and lawmakers have demanded a federal hate-crime investigation into the foiled plot at a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, on October 11.
New Jersey has one of the largest Indian American populations in the country.
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