India, April 12 -- Can Iran's proposal to start charging ships passing via the Strait of Hormuz open the Pandora's box? While Iran has been charging ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz an unofficial toll of USD 1 dollar per barrel, it has now come up with a parliamentary proposal which calls for charging a transit fee from ships wanting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in its national currency rial.

Earlier, Tehran had also proposed a 10-point plan that it said would secure a permanent end to the war which included an apparent formalisation of Iran's de facto control over the Strait. India is in a wait-andwatch mode over the developments and many government officials are viewing this as Iran's bargaining tactics.

Issuing an X...